Senior Systems Engineer I

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 SYSTEMS ENGINEER I

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 Systems Engineer I 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!

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

Support the development of system architecture for space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads on airborne and space platforms, with emphasis on electrical architecture and controls integration

Define, decompose, and manage system requirements with focus on electrical behavior, control functions, subsystem interactions, and overall system performance

Develop and maintain technical documentation including architecture descriptions, interface control documents, electrical interface definitions, concepts of operations, state and mode descriptions, test plans, and verification artifacts

Support development of electrical and functional architectures, including command and telemetry flow, power distribution, control logic, signal paths, timing, synchronization, and subsystem interaction

Collaborate with hardware, software, firmware, and test teams to ensure the electrical architecture and controls implementation align with system requirements and mission intent

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

Support hardware and software development teams with system-level test planning, debugging, integration, and execution of verification procedures; analyze data and recommend design refinements

Participate in hardware and software verification and validation activities related to system behavior, electrical performance, controls implementation, and interface compliance

Support architecture trades involving sensors, motor control, embedded electronics, power systems, command and data handling, and subsystem interfaces

Participate in technical interchange meetings and project discussions with internal teams, customers, and external partners as needed

Identify, assess, and help mitigate technical risks related to electrical architecture, controls implementation, and subsystem integration

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 electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline

5+ years of engineering experience, including 3+ years supporting development programs and 2+ years in technical leadership, CAM, IPTL, or equivalent role

Demonstrated systems engineering experience with emphasis on electrical architecture, subsystem integration, and controls focused development

Strong electrical engineering background supporting complex aerospace, payload, avionics, or instrument systems

Experience developing system requirements, interface definitions, and verification approaches for complex systems

Strong background in electrical interfaces, control functions, avionics integration, or subsystem architecture

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

Experience working across hardware, software, and firmware development throughout the lifecycle

Familiarity with command and telemetry interfaces, power architectures, signal interfaces, timing, synchronization, and control logic

Experience supporting integration and test, including troubleshooting electrical or controls-related issues at the subsystem or system level

Strong ability to read, interpret, and develop electrical, interface, and system technical documentation

Familiarity with aerospace development standards, environmental testing, and mission assurance practices

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

Current SSBI clearance

EO/IR payload integration experience

Experience with spacecraft bus interfaces, payload electrical integration, avionics architecture, or embedded electronics

Experience with pointing, stabilization, gimbals, motion control, focus/control electronics, or other closed-loop control applications

Experience defining or troubleshooting electrical architectures for sensors, actuators, motors, power systems, or embedded controllers

Hands-on expertise leading troubleshooting and resolution of system-level electrical or controls-related issues

Demonstrated experience working with minimal supervision in complex projects

Experience in astronomy, physics, or remote sensing

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

Strong communication, task management, and cross-functional coordination skills

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, l