Rocket Lab Corporation

Spacecraft Operations Engineer II/Senior

Long Beach, CA · Senior

No sponsorship$86k-$125kDetected 22 days ago

TypeScriptPythonC++RubyGitCloud PlatformsCI/CDData AnalysisCybersecurityPower ElectronicsCommunication

About the role

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives.
This includes supporting diverse missions such as LEO constellations, interplanetary exploration, LEO rendezvous, and SDA-related deployments.
Your expertise would be critical during commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations, and potentially re-entry phases, ensuring the health and safety of Rocket Lab's expanding fleet.

Design, develop and test ground software for long term space operations: ground scripting for robust and automated ops
Maintain the continuous integration and testing of our operational code
Develop test methods and data analysis
Develop interface specifications, CONOPS, and other design documents
Support AIT teams across multiple spacecraft integrated tests (TVAC, propulsion stack, DITL)
Perform requirements validation and verification for subsystems and spacecraft missions
Generate and maintain requirements for spacecraft Missions including the creation and disposition
Provide program and product support to team leads and program managers and be a key technical interface between the Auckland, NZ and Long Beach, USA engineering teams

Bachelor's degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
Software development experience (Python/Ruby/C/C++/other high-level languages)
2+ years of direct experience in any of the following: space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command control or spacecraft operations
Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their associated components, including attitude determination and control, spacecraft electrical power systems, space-ground communications, on-orbit command and data handling, and thermal control
Understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS eligibility
5+ years of direct experience in any of the following: space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command control or spacecraft operations

Master's or PhD engineering in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
Prior experience in spacecraft operations
Prior experience in satellite ground systems
Exposure to modern development practices - GIT, CI/CD, cloud infrastructure
Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) Testing: Exposure to testing frameworks that simulate software behavior in operational environments
Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Testing: Familiarity with testing frameworks that integrate software and hardware systems
Active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Exposure to testing frameworks that simulate software behavior in operational environments

Range (CA Only)
$86,000 - $125,000 USD
We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's not an easy task.
It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible.
Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace.
We pride ourselves on having each other's backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small.

Design, develop and test flight software sequences and FDIR/telemetry configuration to ensure spacecraft health and fault management through software-driven processes

This listing is sourced directly from Rocket Lab Corporation's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.