Senior Systems Safety Engineer I

Rocket Lab • Long Beach, CA

7d

About The Position

Rocket Lab’s Safety & Mission Assurance Team works with range safety authorities to ensure the safe ground processing of spacecraft and ground support equipment at launch ranges. The Senior Systems Safety Engineer I develops and maintains range safety documentation and supports safe integration and testing of Space Systems payloads and spacecraft. The role performs system safety analyses across hazardous systems and collaborates with management, engineering, operations, subject matter experts, and external authorities to deliver safe products and coordinate submissions. The position may involve travel or off-site work and may include prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, systems, or aerospace engineering, or another technical discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in a relevant engineering role, such as system safety, certification, aerospace, or spacecraft design, focused on regulatory compliance, requirements, or safety.
• Demonstrated deep understanding of ground safety processes.
• Experience with safety and compliance standards and requirements, applying requirements, and justifying non-compliance when applicable.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent safety programs and prioritize and execute tasks effectively.
• Ability to read, interpret, and develop electrical, interface, and system technical documentation.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Active U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance.
• Experience with compliance, tailoring, and submission of range safety standards such as SSCMAN, GSFC, and ANSI/AIAA.
• Prior experience working with or engaging launch range safety authorities.
• Experience working on NSSL missions and payloads.
• Experience with composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs).
• Prior experience in payload processing and/or launch operations.
• Direct experience designing, testing, or operating hazardous propellants (mono- or bi-propellant, hypergolic, etc.) and high-pressure systems.
• Five or more years of engineering experience focused on regulatory compliance, requirements, or safety.
• Familiarity with launch sites such as Vandenberg, Cape Canaveral, and Wallops Flight Facility.
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision on complex projects.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and explaining complex implementation processes to others.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and update safety program plans, range safety requirement matrices and tailoring, ground hazard analyses, ground safety plans, and other range safety documentation for Rocket Lab Space Systems.
• Formulate and submit range safety deliverables on time in support of payload processing at launch sites.
• Apply and tailor range safety manuals and other industry safety standards for Rocket Lab spacecraft programs.
• Support development of ground safety procedures for integration and testing of Space Systems payloads and spacecraft.
• Perform system safety analyses on pressure systems, propulsion systems, electrical systems, mechanisms, lifting equipment, and other hazardous system types.
• Work with management, engineering, operations, and subject matter experts to deliver safe products and coordinate external submissions.
• Support the wider Rocket Lab safety team by producing deliverables or performing safety reviews for non-space systems projects.
• Participate in program engineering reviews.
• Support travel or off-site work as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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.
• Other employee discounts.

What This Job Offers

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