Principal Systems Engineer - Mission Architecture Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
The Role
Based in Long Beach, CA, you will lead the formulation of all new satellite systems, supporting capture of new civil, national security, and commercial business. You will manage the development and maintenance of technical budgets, requirements definition, test planning and execution, and overall management of the systems engineering process, including validation of customer requirements. You will support the Vice President of Business Development and Strategy and the broader Space Systems Business Development organization, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.
What You'll Do
- Lead Rocket Lab's satellite engineering formulation supporting business development and new opportunity capture
- Develop and maintain technical budgets for vehicle performance, system requirements and verification techniques, simulations and analysis across vehicle functions, and test methods and data analysis
- Lead and own technical development of spacecraft missions
- Assist with program and product management
- Develop, in collaboration with team members, interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents
- Work directly with customers and internal leadership to shape requirements and write core architecture for key proposals
What You'll Bring
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
- 12+ years of experience in the aerospace industry
- Experience supporting satellite and/or spacecraft development programs
- Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
- US citizenship required due to program requirements
Preferred Qualifications
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Master's or PhD in engineering
- Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems including ADCS, EPS, space-ground communications, C&DH, and thermal control
- Thorough understanding of space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
- Verbal and written communication skills with team and internal/external customers
- Previous experience with proposals and tech volume authorship
- Experience with MATLAB, Python, and STK
- Experience with CAD modeling and drawing
- Experience with requirement management tools such as JAMA or DOORS
- Experience with satellite operations
- Ability to work in dynamic environment with competing priorities
Compensation and Benefits
Total Compensation (base and equity): $281,000 to $339,000 USD
Base Salary: $173,000 to $260,000 USD
Benefits include company stock as part of total compensation package, Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, medical plans (HMO, PPO, zero cost HDHP with HSA contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, 401(k) with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and other employee discounts.
Base salary and level determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Working Conditions
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.