Senior Software Systems Engineer II

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

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.

The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have 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 get to space — our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEER II

Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community 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, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Senior Software 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. Systems engineers are responsible for the development and maintenance of technical budgets, requirements definition, test planning and execution, and overall management of the systems engineering process. They also work hands-on with flight software and drive the technical development of our Space Systems missions.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

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

Understand and interpret overall system architecture, deriving and allocating software and firmware requirements to ensure consistency across interfaces and subsystems

Understand the software/firmware development pipeline and SW/FW development process, from requirements through build, integration, test, and release

Develop and maintain:

Technical budgets for vehicle performance

Software System requirements and verification techniques

Simulations and analysis across vehicle functions

Test methods and data analysis

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

Assist with programs and product management

Develop, in collaboration with team members, interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents

Support the development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms

Execute software verification test campaigns on the flatsat, development unit, or flight unit, including test setup, dry runs, and formal verification runs

Verify the correct software build and configuration are under test, confirming the as-tested configuration matches the intended verification

Support authoring, derivation, and verification of software and firmware requirements, and maintain requirements traceability throughout the development lifecycle, addressing conflicts or gaps

Participate in technical interchange meetings (TIMs) and represent the organization in project discussions with internal stakeholders and external partners

Mentor other engineers on systems engineering, requirements, and verification and validation (V&V) methodologies

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

QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS SENIOR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEER II:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (software or computer engineering)

Active Clearance

8+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry; with 2+ years directly supporting software development projects and 1+ years in project or team leadership

A strong knowledge of how to interpret organizational, software, and hardware technical documents

Demonstrable experience in systems software engineering, with a strong focus on developing, testing, and integrating with space or airborne instruments

Experience with requirements management, workflow, and modeling tools such as JAMA, DOORS, JIRA, or Cameo

Experience supporting development programs

U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements

NICE TO HAVES:

Active TS/SCI clearance

Master’s or PhD in engineering (software or computer engineering)

EO/IR payload integration experience

Proficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent

Experience with the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) from requirements development through systems operations and maintenance

Knowledge of software interfaces and communications protocols

Hands-on expertise leading troubleshooting and resolution of system-level issues

Demonstrated experience working with minimal supervision in complex projects

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and explain complex implementation processes to other organization members

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.

WHAT TO EXPECT

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. 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.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here .

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [email protected]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to