SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Salary: USD 173,000 - 260,000 / annual
Rocket Lab is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead the formulation of new satellite systems and support business development and opportunity capture for civil, national security, and commercial missions. Based at Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA, you will own the technical architecture and systems engineering process for spacecraft programs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead satellite engineering formulation supporting business development and new opportunity capture
- Develop and maintain technical budgets for vehicle performance, system requirements, verification techniques, simulations, and test methods
- Lead and own technical development of spacecraft missions from concept through validation
- Develop interface specifications, CONOPS definitions, and design documents in collaboration with team members
- Work directly with customers and internal leadership to shape requirements and write core architecture for key proposals
- Assist with program and product management activities
- Support the VP of Business Development and Strategy with deliverables for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors
Rocket Lab's Space Systems team has enabled over 1,700 missions, including interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing, and national security initiatives. The team has built spacecraft and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
- 12+ years of experience in the aerospace industry
- Experience supporting satellite and/or spacecraft development programs
- Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
- US citizenship required due to program requirements and ITAR regulations
Desired Qualifications:
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Master's or PhD in engineering
- Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems: ADCS, EPS, space-ground communications, C&DH, thermal control
- Thorough understanding of space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Experience with proposals and tech volume authorship
- Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, and STK
- CAD modeling and drawing experience
- Experience with requirement management tools (JAMA, DOORS)
- Satellite operations experience
- Ability to work in dynamic environment with competing priorities
