Rocket Lab USA-posted 3 months ago
Senior
Tucson, AZ
1,001-5,000 employees
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

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, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

  • Own the technical baseline: Serve as the authority across systems engineering, hardware, software, and test, ensuring requirements are achieved and the system delivers mission value.
  • Lead critical reviews: Chair program gate reviews from SRR through TRR, assessing design maturity, readiness, and risk posture.
  • Shape system architecture: Direct the development and integration of architectures spanning payload, ground systems, and mission operations.
  • Guide execution: Oversee engineering performance to deliver on cost, schedule, and technical objectives, including subcontractor oversight.
  • Champion engineering excellence: Enforce standards, processes, and quality while advancing Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Digital Engineering.
  • Manage risk & opportunity: Own the program Risk Register, proactively mitigating risks and capturing opportunities to improve performance.
  • Engage with stakeholders: Act as the primary technical interface with customer technical teams, subcontractors, and REALCO leadership.
  • Support growth: Contribute to proposals, technical volumes, and reviews, helping shape future opportunities.
  • Mentor the next generation: Provide leadership and guidance to engineers across disciplines, fostering collaboration, knowledge transfer, and technical excellence.
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline.
  • Experience: 12+ years of engineering experience, with 8+ years of experience leading engineering teams or organizations.
  • Security Clearance: Active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility (current TS/SCI or reinvestigated within the last 6 years).
  • Program Execution: Experience leading large-scale proposals, including technical volumes and customer-facing reviews.
  • Proven ability to deliver complex aerospace or defense systems on cost, on schedule, and to performance requirements.
  • Prior experience as a chief engineer or technical authority on a program of record or major defense contract.
  • Strong record of interfacing with senior government customers and building trusted technical relationships.
  • Ability to travel up to 25%, and work in classified environments with sensitive program information.
  • Education: Advanced degree in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, or physics.
  • Space Programs: Recent experience (last 10 years) supporting space missions, with an emphasis on payload integration.
  • Remote Sensing: 5+ years working with EO/IR, radar, or hyperspectral sensor technologies, including performance modeling and exploitation.
  • Ground Systems: 5+ years developing command & control, mission planning, or tactical ground systems for space assets.
  • Mission-Level Systems Thinking: Experience with CONOPS development and enterprise-scale architectures.
  • Data Analytics & AI/ML: Knowledge of advanced data exploitation, machine learning, and Automatic Target Recognition (ATR).
  • Integration Leadership: Experience integrating multi-disciplinary engineering efforts across suppliers and subcontractors.
  • Complex Systems Development: Leadership in the design, production, and integration of large-scale defense or aerospace systems.
  • MBSE Expertise: Hands-on experience applying Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methods.
  • Execution Excellence: Track record of achieving technical, cost, and schedule commitments as a chief engineer or technical lead.
  • Collaboration & Decision-Making: Ability to build consensus across diverse stakeholders and make sound decisions under uncertainty.
  • Collaboration & Influence: Ability to motivate and guide teams without direct line authority, achieving alignment across diverse organizations and subcontractors.
  • Communication: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical solutions to executives, customers, and non-technical audiences.
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