Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds a wide range of satellites, payloads, and components, including spacecraft selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, such as solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. We have enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration to in‑space manufacturing and national‑security initiatives.

Based at Rocket Lab’s headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I is responsible for managing the health, safety and performance of a growing fleet of satellites to meet mission objectives for commercial and government customers. The role involves supporting various mission phases, including commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations and re‑entry, across diverse mission types such as satellite constellations, interplanetary exploration and orbital rendezvous.

The position requires close collaboration with cross‑functional teams, including spacecraft design, software, propulsion and ground systems.

The space operations experience at Rocket Lab is unique because you will cover a multitude of roles and responsibilities, with the majority of the technical products being supplied through vertical integration.

• Leverage automation as a key enabler to operate spacecraft, focusing on software‑driven solutions for efficient and reliable mission execution.
• Design, develop and test ground software for long‑term space operations: ground scripting for robust and automated ops.
• Design, develop and test flight software sequences and FDIR/telemetry configuration to ensure spacecraft health and fault management through software‑driven processes.
• Maintain the continuous integration and testing of operational code.
• Ensure on‑call or shift coverage of operations.
• Develop test methods and data analysis.
• Develop interface specifications, CONOPS and other design documents.
• Support AIT teams across multiple spacecraft integrated tests (TVAC, propulsion stack, DITL).
• Perform requirements validation and verification for subsystems and spacecraft missions.
• Generate and maintain requirements for spacecraft missions including creation and disposition.
• Provide program and product support to team leads and program managers and act as key technical interface between engineering teams in Auckland, NZ, Littleton, CO and Long Beach, CA.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical or other technical discipline).
• 5+ years of direct experience in space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command control or spacecraft operations.
• Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their components – attitude determination and control, electrical power systems, space‑ground communications, on‑orbit command and data handling and thermal control.
• Understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics and rigid‑body dynamics.
• Software development experience (Python, Ruby, C, C++ or other high‑level languages).
• U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements.