Principal Systems Engineer - Mission Architecture

Rocket Lab•Long Beach, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Principal Systems Engineer – Mission Architecture is based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California. This role leads the formulation of new satellite systems and supports the capture of new civil, national security, and commercial business. The engineer manages technical budgets, requirements definition, test planning and execution, and the systems engineering process, including validation of customer requirements. The position supports the Vice President of Business Development and Strategy and the broader Space Systems Business Development organization. It produces deliverables for internal leadership, the board of directors, and investors, and works directly with customers and internal leaders to shape requirements and develop mission architectures and proposals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, such as software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or another technical engineering discipline.
12+ years of experience in the aerospace industry.
Experience supporting satellite and/or spacecraft development programs.
Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.
U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.

Nice To Haves

Active TS/SCI clearance.
Master’s or PhD in engineering, such as software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or another technical engineering discipline.
Understanding of spacecraft subsystems and associated components, including attitude determination and control (ADCS), electrical power systems (EPS), space-ground communications, on-orbit command and data handling (C&DH), and thermal control.
Thorough understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics.
Highly effective and professional verbal and written communication skills with teams and internal and external customers.
Previous experience with proposals and technical volume authorship.
Experience with MATLAB, Python, and STK.
Experience with CAD modeling and drawing.
Experience with requirements management tools such as JAMA or DOORS.
Experience with satellite operations.
Ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing priorities.

Responsibilities

Lead satellite engineering formulation in support of business development and new opportunity capture.
Develop and maintain vehicle performance technical budgets, system requirements and verification techniques, simulations and analyses across vehicle functions, and test methods and data analyses.
Lead and own technical development of spacecraft missions.
Support program and product management.
Collaborate with team members to develop interface specifications, CONOPS definitions, and other design documents.
Work directly with customers and internal leadership to shape requirements and write core architectures for key proposals.
Manage requirements definition, test planning and execution, and the systems engineering process, including validation of customer requirements.

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 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.