Senior Systems Engineer II - 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, and expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Space Systems Division
The Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and subsystems including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios. The team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. You will work with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
The Role
Based in Long Beach, CA, you will lead the formulation of new satellite systems, supporting capture of 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 deliver to internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.
What You Will Do
- Lead Rocket Lab's satellite engineering formulation supporting business development and new opportunity capture
- Develop and maintain technical budgets for vehicle performance
- Define system requirements and verification techniques
- Develop simulations and analysis across vehicle functions
- Develop test methods and data analysis
- Lead and own technical development of spacecraft missions
- Assist with program and product management
- Develop interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and design documents in collaboration with team members
- Work directly with customers and internal leadership to shape requirements and write core architecture for key proposals
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
- 8+ 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 is required, due to program requirements
Preferred Qualifications
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Master's or PhD in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
- Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems: attitude determination and control (ADCS), electrical power systems (EPS), space-ground communications, on-orbit command and data handling (C&DH), and thermal control
- Thorough understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
- Highly effective verbal and written communication skills with team and internal/external customers
- Previous experience with proposals and technical 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 a dynamic environment with competing priorities
Compensation and Benefits
Base Salary: $132,000 - $198,000 USD
Total Compensation (base and equity): $209,000 - $255,000 USD
Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.
Benefits include company stock as part of your total compensation package, Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and zero-cost HDHP with HSA company 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) retirement plan with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and various other 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.