Rocket Lab USA
Principal Spacecraft Operations Engineer - Secret Clearance
East Long Beach, Los Angeles County · Principal · full-time
No sponsorship$223k-$339kDetected 49 days ago
TypeScriptPythonC++CRubyGitCloud PlatformsCI/CDData AnalysisCybersecurityJiraPower ElectronicsControlsCommunication
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odds of building a lasting career here
56Sponsors, lottery-bound
Cap-exempt (no lottery)0
Sponsors this role72
Entry-level history0
PERM / green-card track0
Lottery odds (Level IV)94
Fits your clock70
Sponsors, but it's cap-subject — you still face the weighted lottery (~61% per draw at Level IV). Good if you win; have a cap-exempt backup on your list.
Lottery odds assume a STEM candidate.
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About the role
- 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.
- The space operations experience at Rocket Lab is unique because you will cover a multitude of roles/positions and responsibilities, with the large majority of the technical products being supplied through the vertical integration/in-house.
Responsibilities
- We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
- 5+ years of experience leading teams of engineers through spacecraft missions or related aerospace projects
Nice to have
- 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
- Proficiency with Agile issue-tracking tools, specifically Jira, for mission task management, status tracking, and bug reporting
- 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
Compensation
- $173,300 - $259,850 USD
Visa & Work Authorization
- Government Secret Security Clearance
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This listing is sourced directly from Rocket Lab USA's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.