Senior Systems Engineer I​/II - Secret Clearance

Overview

About Rocket Lab:
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 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. We are developing Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems team designs and builds 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 and precision payloads to the components and subsystems that enable them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and ISR challenges for DoD and IC customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

What You’ll Get To 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 the development process and address potential conflicts or issues
• Lead requirements definition, allocation, and traceability 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, progress, 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 the development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms
• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration and functionality of exquisite payloads
• Support hardware and software development teams with system-level test planning, debugging, integration, and execution of verification test procedures; analyze 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
• Support the development, testing, and delivery of space payloads; assess and mitigate technical risks
• Mentor other engineers on technical topics and V&V methodologies
• Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications You’ll Bring As Senior Systems Engineer I

• Bachelor’s degree in systems or aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline
• Active U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• 5+ years of engineering experience; with 3+ years directly supporting development projects and 2+ years in project or team leadership
• Demonstrable experience in systems engineering, with a strong focus on developing, testing, and integrating with space or airborne instruments
• Experience with requirements management and modeling tools such as JAMA, Doors, or Cameo
• Experience with the Software Development Lifecycle from…