Senior Systems Engineer I/II - Secret Clearance

Rocket Lab Corporation • Tucson, AZ

6h • Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains. As a Senior Systems Engineer based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to design, develop, and test space-based electro-optical sensors. Systems engineers are responsible for the development and maintenance of technical budgets, requirements definition, test planning and execution, and overall management of the systems engineering process. They also work hands-on with flight hardware, and drive the technical development of our Space Systems missions. (Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Systems Engineer I or Senior Systems Engineer II level)

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (systems, software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
• Active Clearance
• 5+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry; with 2+ years directly supporting development projects and 1+ years in project or team leadership (for Senior Systems Engineer I)
• 8+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry; with 3+ years directly supporting development projects and 2+ years in project or team leadership (for Senior Systems Engineer II)
• CAM and/or IPTL experience (for Senior Systems Engineer II)
• A strong knowledge of how to interpret organizational, software, and hardware technical documents
• Demonstrable experience in systems engineering, with a strong focus on developing, testing, and integrating with space or airborne instruments
• Experience with requirements management and modeling tools such as JAMA, Doors, or Cameo
• Experience supporting development programs
• U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements
• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards, regulations, and practices (for Senior Systems Engineer II)

Nice To Haves

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Master’s or PhD in engineering (systems, software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
• EO/IR payload integration experience
• Proficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent
• Experience with space environments and testing regimes (vibe, shock, radiation, thermal, EMI, corrosion, etc.)
• Experience with the Software Development Lifecycle from requirements development through systems operations and maintenance
• Knowledge of hardware interfaces and communications protocols
• Hands-on expertise leading troubleshooting and resolution of system-level issues
• Demonstrated experience working with minimal supervision in complex projects
• Experience in astronomy, physics, or remote sensing
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and explain complex implementation processes to other organization members

Responsibilities

• Design, integrate, and develop space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms
• Develop and maintain: Technical budgets for vehicle performance, System requirements and verification techniques, Simulations and analysis across vehicle functions, Test methods and data analysis
• Provide technical oversight of system architecture, interfaces, mission assurance, and compliance
• Assist with program and product management
• Develop, in collaboration with team members, interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents
• Support the development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms
• Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior