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Rocket Lab Robotics is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer II to serve as the technical lead for complex aerospace robotic systems. You will own the system technical definition, requirements implementation, hardware-software integration, verification, and delivery across mechanical, electrical, software, controls, manufacturing, and test teams.
Key responsibilities include acting as the project technical lead or cognizant engineer for robotic systems and major subsystems; developing and managing system requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), and maintaining traceability from customer mission needs to component specifications. You will lead cross-functional technical execution, drive major technical decisions, manage trades and risks, and define hardware-software interfaces, communication architectures, operating modes, and fault responses.
You will lead integration and troubleshooting of robotic hardware, controls software, ROS/ROS2 applications, sensors, and actuators. Responsibilities include developing CONOPS, technical budgets, verification plans, and technical decision records. You will plan and lead system integration, verification, validation, qualification, and acceptance activities, and lead formal technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, acceptance reviews) while presenting technical status to customers and leadership.
Additionally, you will mentor less-experienced engineers on systems engineering and robotics integration, and support program management with technical inputs on schedule, risk, and cost/effort estimates.
Required qualifications: Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, software, robotics, systems engineering, or related technical discipline. 8+ years of engineering experience developing, integrating, or delivering robotic, mechatronic, or complex electromechanical systems. Experience serving as a technical lead, cognizant engineer, or project engineer. Demonstrated full development lifecycle experience including requirements, integration, and V&V. Hands-on robotics hardware and software integration experience. Strong systems engineering fundamentals (requirements management, ICDs, trade studies, risk management). Customer interface and formal technical review experience. U.S. citizenship required.
