Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I

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, separati...

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 Develop...

Based on site at Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA the Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and optimal performance of a growing fleet of satellites while meeting mission objectives and SLAs for both commercial and government customers. This includes suppo...

Leverage automation as a key enabler to operate spacecraft, focusing on software-driven solutions for efficient and reliable mission execution
Design, develop and test ground software for long term space operations: ground scripting for robust and automated ops
Design, develop and test flight software sequences and FDIR/telemetry configuration to ensure spacecraft health and fault management through software-driven processes
Maintain the continuous integration and testing of our operational code 
Ensure the on-call or shifts of operations
Develop test methods and data analysis
Develop interface specifications, CONOPS, and other design documents
Run validation against spacecraft simulation tools: flatsat, HITL, etc. 
Support AIT teams across multiple spacecraft integrated tests (TVAC, propulsion stack, DITL)
Perform requirements validation and verification for subsystems and spacecraft missions
Generate and maintain requirements for spacecraft Missions including the creation and disposition
Provide program and product support to team leads and program managers and be a key technical interface between the Auckland, NZ and Long Beach, USA engineering teams

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
5+ years of direct experience in any of the following: space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command control or spacecraft operations
Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their associated components, including attitude determination and control, spacecraft electrical power systems, space-ground communications, on-orbit command and data handling, and thermal control
Understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
Software development experience (Python/Ruby/C/C++/other high-level languages)
Ability to obtain and maintain US Security clearance
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 system design 
Prior experience in satellite ground systems
Exposure to modern development practices – GIT, CI/CD, cloud infrastructure
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 

Citizenship of AU / NZ / EU / NATO