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Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer to join its Space Systems team at the Auckland Production Complex. In this role, you will take ownership of spacecraft operations across a diverse and growing fleet, ranging from low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellations to deep space exploration missions destined for the Moon and Mars.
You will design and implement spacecraft operations strategies, focusing on automation, software, and mission success from concept through re-entry. Your responsibilities include commanding and operating spacecraft with automation at the core, developing and testing ground and flight software for long-term missions, building robust operational scripts and telemetry/failure detection and isolation (FDIR) configurations, and leading validation efforts using simulation tools such as hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) and flatsat testing.
You will support spacecraft through all lifecycle phases: integration, testing, launch, and on-orbit operations. You'll collaborate with world-class engineers across propulsion, flight software, guidance/navigation/control (GNC), and mission design teams to turn ambitious ideas into reality at a fast pace. A key part of your role is driving continuous improvement across systems, processes, and performance.
Required qualifications include a bachelor's degree in aerospace, systems, software engineering, or related field, plus 4+ years of experience in space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, or spacecraft operations. You must have familiarity with Linux systems and software development (Python, C++, or similar), a strong understanding of spacecraft systems (ADCS, power, comms, C&DH, thermal), and solid knowledge of orbital mechanics and space environment dynamics.
Desirable qualifications include a postgraduate degree in aerospace engineering, hands-on experience in spacecraft operations or satellite design, familiarity with modern development tools (Git, CI/CD, cloud platforms), and HITL testing experience. You should be decisive, curious, solutions-focused, able to tackle complex engineering problems, and comfortable working end-to-end ownership under pressure in fast-paced, multi-priority environments.
