Rocket Lab

Senior Systems Engineer I - Mission Architecture

Rocket Lab$124K — $171K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
  • 5+ years of experience in the aerospace industry
  • Experience supporting satellite and/or spacecraft development programs
  • Active TS/SCI clearance

Responsibilities

  • Lead satellite engineering formulation to support business development
  • Develop and maintain technical budgets for vehicle performance
  • Design system requirements and verification techniques
  • Conduct simulations and analysis across vehicle functions
  • Own technical development of spacecraft missions
  • Assist with program and product management activities
  • Collaborate on interface specifications and key proposals

Benefits

  • Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock
  • Top-tier medical plans including a zero-cost HDHP option
  • Paid vacation and sick time, and 11 paid holidays
  • Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
  • Paid parental leave
  • Disability and life insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Subsidized EV charging and onsite fitness centers
  • Discounted gym memberships and complimentary snacks
Full Job Description
SENIOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER I - MISSION ARCHITECTURE

Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA the Senior Systems Engineer I is responsible for leading the formulation of all new satellite systems, supporting capture of new civil, national security, and commercial business. You will manage the development and maintenance of technical budgets, requirements definition, test planning and execution, and overall management of the systems engineering process, including validation of customer requirements. You will support the Vice President of Business Development and Strategy and the broader Space Systems Business Development organization, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
  • Lead Rocket Lab's satellite engineering formulation supporting business development and new opportunity capture
  • Develop and maintain:
    • Technical budgets for vehicle performance
    • System requirements and verification techniques
    • Simulations and analysis across vehicle functions
    • Test methods and data analysis
  • Lead and own technical development of spacecraft missions
  • Assist with program and product management
  • Develop, in collaboration with team members, interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents
  • Work directly with customers and our internal leadership team to shape requirements and write the core architecture for key proposals

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
  • 5+ years of experience in the aerospace industry
  • Experience supporting satellite and/or spacecraft development programs
  • Active TS/SCI clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
  • Master's or PhD in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
  • Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their associated components, including: attitude determination and control (ADCS), electrical power systems (EPS), space-ground communications, on-orbit command and data handling (C&DH), and thermal control
  • Thorough understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
  • Highly effective and professional verbal and written communication skills with team and internal/external customers
  • Previous experience with proposals and tech volume authorship
  • Experience with MATLAB, Python, and STK
  • Experience with CAD modeling and drawing
  • Experience with requirement management tools such as JAMA or DOORS
  • Experience with satellite operations
  • Ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing priorities

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.

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$144,000-$206,000 USD

Base Salary

$124,000-$171,000 USD

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a private American aerospace manufacturer and small satellite launch service provider. The company was founded in 2006 by New Zealander Peter Beck. Rocket Lab's Electron rocket is designed to launch small payloads of up to 300 kg into low Earth orbit. The company has launched several successful missions and has contracts with NASA and other organizations. Rocket Lab has raised over $200 million in funding and has offices in the United States and New Zealand.
Learn more about Rocket Lab
Size
500 employees
Market Cap
$1.6 billion
Industry
Founded
2006
NASDAQ

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