Senior Systems Engineer II
About The Position
Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer II for its systems engineering team in Long Beach, California. The team supports the Space Systems division and leads programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers. The role involves developing and maintaining technical budgets, requirements, verification approaches, simulations, test plans, and data analysis, while managing systems engineering activities and working hands-on with flight hardware. The engineer will own technical development for spacecraft missions and assist with program and product management. In collaboration with team members, the role also develops interface specifications, concepts of operations (CONOPS), and other design documents. The position may require prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. The compensation package includes company stock and a base salary range of $132,000–$198,000 USD for California. 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, fitness and gym benefits, snacks and beverages, and employee discounts.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, such as software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or another technical engineering discipline.
- At least 8 years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry.
- Experience supporting satellite or spacecraft development programs.
- U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s or PhD in engineering, such as software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or another technical engineering discipline.
- Active TS/SCI clearance.
- Understanding of spacecraft subsystems and components, including ADCS, EPS, space-ground communications, C&DH, and thermal control.
- Thorough understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics.
- Experience with MATLAB, Python, and STK.
- Experience with requirement management tools such as JAMA or DOORS.
- Experience with satellite operations.
- 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
- Develop and maintain technical budgets for vehicle performance.
- Develop and maintain system requirements and verification techniques.
- Develop simulations and analyses across vehicle functions.
- Develop test methods and perform data analysis.
- Lead and own the technical development of spacecraft missions.
- Assist with program and product management.
- Collaborate with team members to develop interface specifications, CONOPS definitions, and other design documents.
- Work hands-on with flight hardware and support the systems engineering process.
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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
