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Rocket Lab is seeking a Spacecraft Operations Engineer I/II to manage the health, safety, and performance of a growing fleet of satellites for commercial and government customers. Based in Long Beach, CA, you will support various mission phases including commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations, and re-entry across diverse mission types such as satellite constellations, interplanetary exploration, and orbital rendezvous.
Key responsibilities include designing and developing ground software for long-term space operations with a focus on automation and software-driven solutions. You will design, develop, and test flight software sequences and FDIR/telemetry configuration to ensure spacecraft health and fault management. The role involves maintaining continuous integration and testing of operational code, performing on-call or shift operations, and developing test methods and data analysis.
You will run validation against spacecraft simulation tools (flatsat, HITL, etc.), support AIT teams across multiple spacecraft integrated tests (TVAC, propulsion stack, DITL), and perform requirements validation and verification for subsystems and spacecraft missions. Additional responsibilities include generating and maintaining requirements for spacecraft missions, developing interface specifications and CONOPS documents, and serving as a key technical interface between engineering teams in Auckland, NZ, Littleton, CO, and Long Beach, CA.
For Engineer I level: Bachelor's degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or related discipline) required. Experience in space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command control, or spacecraft operations. Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems (ADCS, EPS, space-ground communications, C&DH, thermal control), space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics. Software development experience in Python, Ruby, C, C++, or similar languages. U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements.
For Engineer II level: Bachelor's degree in engineering plus 2+ years of direct experience in spacecraft operations or related field. Rocket Lab's Space Systems team has enabled over 1,700 missions and built spacecraft and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
