Principal Engineer - TS/SCI Clearance
About The Position
Rocket Lab’s Principal Engineer oversees various satellite programs and supports the Space Systems Chief Engineer. The role is based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California, and includes preparing deliverables for internal leadership, the board of directors, and investors. The position provides oversight and review of spacecraft systems engineering, including requirements derivation and verification, vehicle performance budgets, test methods and data analysis, and simulation and analysis. It also provides technical leadership for future architectures, platforms, and payloads; supports or leads system and subsystem architectural development for existing missions; and assists with program and product management.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or another technical discipline.
- Active TS/SCI clearance.
- U.S. citizenship, due to program requirements.
- 12 or more 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.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s or PhD in engineering or another technical discipline.
- Experience with MATLAB, Python, and STK.
- Experience 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.
Responsibilities
- Provide oversight and review of spacecraft systems engineering.
- Derive requirements and review system and subsystem requirement verification techniques.
- Review vehicle performance budgets, test methods and data analysis, and simulation and analysis.
- Provide technical leadership in future architectures, platforms, and payloads for internal and external future missions.
- Assist with or lead system and subsystem architectural development for existing missions.
- Assist with program and product management.
- Support the Space Systems Chief Engineer and provide deliverables for internal leadership, the board of directors, and investors.
Benefits
- Company stock as part of total compensation.
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
- Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a significant company HSA contribution.
- Dental and vision coverage.
- Paid vacation and sick time.
- 11 paid holidays.
- Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
- Paid parental leave.
- Disability and life insurance.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
- Subsidized EV charging.
- Onsite fitness centers where available.
- Discounted gym memberships.
- Complimentary snacks and beverages.
- 50% employee discount on the company merchandise store.
- Other employee discounts.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
