Senior Systems Engineer I​/II - Secret Clearance

Overview

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. Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit. Space Systems 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 Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and ISR challenges for DoD and IC customers, delivering innovative designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Our space programs focus on high-performance spacecraft, precision payloads, and the subsystems that enable them to thrive in space.

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 and payloads to components like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. The Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions and works with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

• 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 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

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Please note:

this position can be hired at the Senior Systems Engineer I or Senior Systems Engineer II level)

• 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 requirements development through systems operations and maintenance
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, Linux, C, C++, Visual Basic, or other software development languages and tools
• Proficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent
• A strong knowledge of how to interpret organizational,…