Senior Systems Engineer II 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.

Space Systems and Robotics

Rocket Lab Robotics specializes in high-performance robotic systems and precision mechanisms for ambitious space missions, including NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover and CADRE lunar rovers. We deliver flight-proven solutions such as robotic arms, motion control systems, and solar array drive assemblies to support planetary exploration, satellite servicing, and national security missions.

The Role

You will serve as the project technical lead or cognizant engineer for complex aerospace robotic systems. You will work at the intersection of mechanical, electrical, software, and manufacturing teams, translating customer mission needs into robust, testable system solutions. This role owns the system technical definition, requirements implementation, hardware-software integration, verification, and delivery while providing technical direction across mechanical, electrical, software, controls, manufacturing, and test teams.

What You'll Do

• Act as the project technical lead or cognizant engineer for complex robotic systems and major subsystems
• Own system architecture, requirements, interfaces, verification methods, and acceptance criteria throughout the development lifecycle
• Develop, decompose, and manage system requirements and interface control documents (ICDs), maintaining traceability from customer mission needs to subsystem and component specifications
• Lead cross-functional technical execution and drive major technical decisions, trades, risks, and issue closure
• Define and manage hardware-software interfaces, communication architectures, operating modes, fault responses, and system behaviors
• Lead integration and troubleshooting of robotic hardware, controls software, ROS/ROS2 applications, sensors, actuators, and test systems
• Develop and maintain CONOPS, system requirements, ICDs, technical budgets, verification plans, and technical decision records
• Plan and lead system integration, verification, validation, qualification, and acceptance activities
• Lead formal technical reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and acceptance reviews, and present technical status to customers and leadership
• Mentor less-experienced engineers and provide technical guidance on systems engineering and robotics integration
• Support program management with technical inputs to schedule, risk, and cost/effort estimates

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, software, robotics, systems engineering, or a related technical discipline
• 8+ years of engineering experience developing, integrating, or delivering robotic, mechatronic, or complex electromechanical systems
• Experience serving as a technical lead, cognizant engineer, project engineer, or system owner
• Demonstrated experience across the full development lifecycle, including requirements development, integration, and verification/validation
• Hands-on experience integrating and troubleshooting robotics hardware and software
• Experience coordinating software, controls, electrical, and mechanical teams to deliver integrated robotic systems
• Strong grasp of systems engineering fundamentals: requirements management, ICDs, trade studies, risk management, and verification and validation
• Experience interfacing directly with customers and leading or supporting formal technical reviews
• U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements

Desirable Experience

• Experience with Python, C++, and/or MATLAB in a robotics, controls, integration, simulation, or test environment
• Experience with robotic systems and their integration into aerospace or space applications
• Experience with embedded software, real-time controls, communications, fault management, or hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Experience developing ICDs, CONOPS, verification plans, and system architecture documentation
• Experience in aerospace, spaceflight, defense, or another high-reliability development environment

Compensation

Base salary: $132,000 to $198,000 USD. Total compensation including equity: $164,500 to $255,275 USD. Equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package includes company stock ownership, Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, top-tier 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 additional employee discounts.

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.

Location and Requirements

Pasadena, CA. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident with current Green Card, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce.