Senior/Principal Systems Engineer - Secret Clearance Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, including interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing, and national security initiatives. We build spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
Optical Systems Division
Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Drawing on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, we deliver responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.
The Role
As a Senior/Principal Systems Engineer based in Tucson, AZ, you will design, develop, and test space-based electro-optical sensors. You will apply engineering best practices to ensure success on complex, pioneering space projects.
What You'll Do
- Design, integrate, and develop space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms
- Define, allocate, and manage technical requirements for space systems
- Ensure traceability of requirements throughout development and address conflicts or issues
- Lead requirements definition, allocation, traceability, and verification across the development lifecycle
- Prepare and maintain technical documentation including system design descriptions, ICDs, CONOPs, and test plans
- Generate technical reports and presentations to communicate findings and recommendations to internal stakeholders and external partners
- Provide technical management of project requirements, system architecture, system interfaces, mission assurance guidelines, and system compliance
- Support development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration and functionality of exquisite payloads
- Support hardware and software teams with system-level test planning, debugging, integration, and execution of verification procedures
- Analyze test data and recommend design refinements
- Lead hardware and software V&V activities to confirm alignment with program and customer requirements
- Provide technical oversight of system architecture, interfaces, mission assurance, and compliance
- Participate in technical interchange meetings and represent the organization in project discussions
- Assess and mitigate technical risks
- Mentor other engineers on technical topics and V&V methodologies
- Support travel or off-site work as needed
Qualifications: Senior Systems Engineer I
- Bachelor's degree in systems or aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline
- Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
- 5+ years of engineering experience; 3+ years directly supporting development projects and 2+ years in project or team leadership
- CAM and/or IPTL experience
- Demonstrable experience in systems engineering with strong focus on developing, testing, and integrating space or airborne instruments
- Experience with requirements management tools such as JAMA, Doors, or Cameo
- Experience with Software Development Lifecycle from requirements through systems operations and maintenance
- Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, Linux, C, C++, Visual Basic, or other software development languages and tools
- Proficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent
- Strong knowledge of interpreting organizational, software, and hardware technical documents
- Experience with space environments and testing regimes (vibe, shock, radiation, thermal, EMI, corrosion, etc.)
- Excellent task management skills including ability to prioritize, manage resources, and deliver results within constraints
- Knowledge of hardware interfaces and communications protocols
- Familiarity with aerospace industry standards, regulations, and practices
Qualifications: Senior Systems Engineer II
- Bachelor's degree in systems or aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline
- Active U.S. Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
- 8+ years of engineering experience; 3+ years directly supporting development projects and 2+ years in project or team leadership
- CAM and/or IPTL experience
- Demonstrable experience in systems engineering with strong focus on developing, testing, and integrating space or airborne instruments
- Experience with requirements management tools such as JAMA, Doors, or Cameo
- Experience with Software Development Lifecycle from requirements through systems operations and maintenance
- Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, Linux, C, C++, Visual Basic, or other software development languages and tools
- Proficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent
- Strong knowledge of interpreting organizational, software, and hardware technical documents
- Experience with space environments and testing regimes (vibe, shock, radiation, thermal, EMI, corrosion, etc.)
- Excellent task management skills including ability to prioritize, manage resources, and deliver results within constraints
- Knowledge of hardware interfaces and communications protocols
- Familiarity with aerospace industry standards, regulations, and practices
Qualifications: Principal Systems Engineer
- Bachelor's degree in systems or aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline
- Active U.S. Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
- 12+ years of engineering experience; 5+ years directly supporting development projects and 3+ years in project or team leadership
- CAM and/or IPTL experience
- Demonstrable experience in systems engineering with strong focus on developing, testing, and integrating space or airborne instruments
- Experience with requirements management tools such as JAMA, Doors, or Cameo
- Experience with Software Development Lifecycle from requirements through systems operations and maintenance
- Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, Linux, C, C++, Visual Basic, or other software development languages and tools
- Proficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent
- Strong knowledge of interpreting organizational, software, and hardware technical documents
- Experience with space environments and testing regimes (vibe, shock, radiation, thermal, EMI, corrosion, etc.)
- Excellent task management skills including ability to prioritize, manage resources, and deliver results within constraints
- Knowledge of hardware interfaces and communications protocols
- Familiarity with aerospace industry standards, regulations, and practices
Nice to Have
- Current SSBI clearance
- EO/IR payload integration experience
- Hands-on expertise leading troubleshooting and resolution of system-level issues
- Demonstrated experience working with minimal supervision in complex projects
- Advanced proficiency with Excel including complex formulas, mathematical modeling, and VBA macro creation
- Experience in astronomy, physics, or remote sensing
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams
Physical Requirements
- Sit at desk and operate computer, keyboard, and office equipment for extended periods
- Use hands with dexterity to operate controls, tools, and technical equipment as needed
- Read technical documents, drawings, and computer screens requiring close and distance vision
- Move between buildings, labs, and work areas as needed
- Work in office and technical environments with occasional exposure to noise, dust, and fumes in production areas