Senior Payload Integration Engineer I
About The Position
Rocket Lab is seeking an experienced payload integration engineer to support spacecraft customer integration and physical payload integration with the Electron and HASTE launch vehicles. The role works under the direction of the Team Lead for Payload Integration and requires experience in areas such as spacecraft or launch vehicle integration, systems engineering, or electrical and mechanical systems. The successful candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team and address technical challenges with internal and external customers. The position is based at Rocket Lab Headquarters in Long Beach, California, and requires frequent travel to customer locations and launch sites worldwide. Responsibilities include hands-on integration work, coordination during launch-site integration, interface documentation, test instructions, customer support, and communication with engineering staff about design requirements. Rocket Lab offers competitive base pay and company stock. The listed total compensation range, including base and equity, is $135,475–$194,075 USD; the base salary range is $115,200–$158,400 USD. Compensation varies based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Benefits include an Employee Stock Purchase Program, medical, dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) plan with company match. Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers where available, discounted gym memberships, snacks and beverages, and employee discounts.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering or technical discipline and at least 5 years of applicable experience.
- Active U.S. Government security clearance at the Secret or TS/SCI level.
- Previous launch vehicle or space hardware integration experience.
- Demonstrated ability to understand technical constraints related to payload integration.
- Advanced presentation and technical writing skills.
- Ability to travel to launch sites and customer sites, including overseas locations such as New Zealand.
- For U.S. office candidates, must meet applicable U.S. space technology export-control requirements, including U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence, refugee or asylum status, or eligibility to obtain required authorizations.
Nice To Haves
- Degree in mechanical, electrical, or aerospace engineering.
- Solid interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Experience with CubeSats, SmallSats, or other small space payloads.
- Ability to read mechanical and electrical drawings.
- Ability to perform electrical and mechanical testing.
Responsibilities
- Perform hands-on payload integration activities, including fit checks, dispenser integration, and launch vehicle integration.
- Assist management with on-site integration planning and conduct daily coordination meetings during launch-site integration periods.
- Provide input for the development and verification of Launch Vehicle to Spacecraft Interface Control Documentation (ICD).
- Create and execute assembly, integration, and test instructions.
- Provide customer support by answering questions with assistance from internal technical staff as needed.
- Maintain ongoing communication with engineering staff about mechanical and electrical design needs based on spacecraft mission 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 significant HSA company 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 and other employee discounts.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
