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Rocket Lab Optical Systems, part of Rocket Lab's Space Systems division, is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer II to support the development of advanced space-based optical payloads for the U.S. Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (Tranche 3). You will work throughout the entire lifecycle of mission-critical space payloads serving Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers.
In this role, you will:
- Develop and manage 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 focusing on electrical behavior, control functions, subsystem interactions, and overall system performance
- Create 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 covering 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 electrical architecture and controls implementation align with system requirements and mission intent
- Support development, integration, and testing of space payloads for spacecraft platform integration
- Assist 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 with internal teams, customers, and external partners
- Identify, assess, and help mitigate technical risks related to electrical architecture, controls implementation, and subsystem integration
- Support travel or off-site work as needed
Rocket Lab's Space Systems division has enabled over 1,700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives, including missions to the Moon and Mars in partnership with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, systems, aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline
- 8+ years of engineering experience, including 3+ years supporting development programs and 2+ years in technical leadership, CAM (Configuration/Architecture Management), IPTL (Integrated Product Team Lead), 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
- 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 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
NICE-TO-HAVE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Current SSBI (Single Scope Background Investigation) clearance
- EO/IR (Electro-Optical/Infrared) 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 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
- Background in astronomy, physics, or remote sensing
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams
NOTE: This position requires U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or eligible authorization per ITAR regulations. The role may involve prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
