Principal Engineer - TS​/SCI Clearance

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. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

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At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

Based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Principal Engineer is responsible for overseeing our various satellite programs. You will support the Space Systems Chief Engineer, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.

• Provide oversight and review of spacecraft system engineering, including:
• System and subsystem requirement verification techniques
• Vehicle performance budgets
• Test methods and data analysis
• Simulation and analysis
• Technical leadership in future architectures, platform, and payloads for future missions both internal and external
• Assist or lead system and subsystem architectural developments for existing missions
• Assist with program and product management

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline
• Active TS/SCI clearance
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
• 12+ years of experience supporting satellite or spacecraft programs
• Understanding of spacecraft subsystems and their associated components
• Thorough understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
• Experience with satellite operations

• Master’s or PhD in an engineering or other technical discipline
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, and STK
• Experience with testing electrical subsystems and assemblies, thermal vacuum or random vibration, and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing priorities

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.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$223,000 — $339,000 USD

$173,000 — $260,000 USD

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small.

We thrive under…