Senior/Principal Systems Engineer - Secret Clearance

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

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.

SENIOR/PRINCIPAL SYSTEMS ENGINEER – SECRET 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 Senior/Principal 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. 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!

(Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Systems Engineer I, Senior Systems Engineer II, or Principal Systems Engineer level)

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

Design, integrate, and develop space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms

Define, allocate, and manage technical requirements for space systems

Ensure traceability of requirements throughout the development process and address potential conflicts or issues.

Lead requirements definition, allocation, traceability, and verification 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 management 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

Lead hardware and software V&V activities to confirm alignment with program and customer requirements

Provide technical oversight of system architecture, interfaces, mission assurance, and compliance

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

Mentor other engineers on technical topics and V&V methodologies

Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed

Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS SENIOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER I:

Bachelor’s degree in systems or aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline

Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility

5+ years of engineering experience; with 3+ years directly supporting development projects and 2+ years in project or team leadership

CAM and/or IPTL experience

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 with the Software Development Lifecycle from requirements development through systems operations and maintenance

Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, Linux, C, C++, Visual Basic, or other software development languages and tools

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

QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS SENIOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER II:

Bachelor’s degree in systems or aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline

Active U.S. Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility

8+ years of engineering experience; with 3+ years directly supporting development projects and 2+ years in project or team leadership

CAM and/or IPTL experience

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 with the Software Development Lifecycle from requirements development through systems operations and maintenance

Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, Linux, C, C++, Visual Basic, or other software development languages and tools

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

QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS PRINCIPAL SYSTEMS ENGINEER:

Bachelor’s degree in systems or aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline

Active U.S. Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility

12+ years of engineering experience; with 5+ years directly supporting development projects and 3+ years in project or team leadership

CAM and/or IPTL experience

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 with the Software Development Lifecycle from requirements deve