Rocket Lab Corporation-posted 2 days ago
Full-time • Mid Level
Onsite • Tucson, AZ

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations. Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. SPACE SYSTEMS At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions. SYSTEMS ENGINEER II – TS/SCI CLEARANCE 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 Systems Engineer II based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to design, develop, and test space-based electro-optical sensors. To be successful in this role, you must apply engineering best practices to ensure the success of complex missions in pioneering space projects. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

  • Design, integrate, and develop space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms
  • Ensure traceability of requirements throughout the development process and address potential conflicts or issues.
  • Support requirements definition, allocation, traceability, verification, and system validation across the development lifecycle
  • Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including system design descriptions, ICDs, CONOPs, and test plans
  • Generate technical reports and presentations to communicate findings, progress, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and external partners
  • Provide technical support of project requirements, system architecture, system interfaces, mission assurance guidelines, and system compliance
  • Support the development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms
  • Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration and functionality of exquisite payloads
  • Support hardware and software development teams with system-level test planning, debugging, integration, and execution of verification test procedures; analyze data and recommend design refinements
  • Participate in technical interchange meetings and represent the organization in project discussions
  • Support the development, testing, and delivery of space payloads; assess and mitigate technical risks
  • Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed
  • Perform other duties as assigned
  • Bachelor’s degree in systems or aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline
  • Active TS/SCI clearance
  • 2+ years of engineering experience directly supporting development projects
  • 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
  • Proficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent
  • A strong knowledge of how to interpret organizational, software and hardware technical documents
  • Experience with space environments and testing regimes (vibe, shock, radiation, thermal, EMI, corrosion, etc.)
  • Excellent task management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and deliver results within given constraints
  • Knowledge of hardware interfaces and communications protocols
  • Familiarity with aerospace industry standards, regulations, and practices
  • Current SSBI clearance
  • EO/IR payload integration experience
  • Hands-on expertise leading troubleshooting and resolution of system-level issues
  • Demonstrated experience working with minimal supervision in complex projects
  • Advanced proficiency with Excel, including complex formulas, mathematical modeling, and VBA macro creation
  • Experience in astronomy, physics, or remote sensing
  • Exposure to Python, MATLAB, Linux, C, C++, Visual Basic, or other software development languages and tools
  • Experience with the Software Development Lifecycle from requirements development through systems operations and maintenance
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and explain complex implementation processes to other organization members
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