Principal Systems Engineer

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.

PRINCIPAL SYSTEMS ENGINEER

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 Principal Systems Engineer for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ, you will be involved throughout the entire lifecycle of advanced space payloads in support of Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

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 PRINCIPAL SYSTEMS ENGINEER:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline
• 12+ 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, 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 g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.