Senior Test Site Operations Engineer

About The Role

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

The Neutron launch vehicle is a medium-lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program.

Senior Site Operations Engineer

• Coordinate test planning with key leads from design, test ops, GSE, technician teams as well as external parties to support a test cadence spanning 2 shifts, 7 days a week.
• Directed program management for weekly and monthly schedules, including forecasting staffing and headcount needs to ensure resource alignment with test cadence.
• Lead daily meetings to align engineering, operations, and safety teams.
• Develop key performance measures and identify decision points and actions to optimize site operations, resourcing and schedules to meet demand, ensuring measured parameters correlate with overall Neutron program objectives.
• Identify operational challenges within the organization, lead problem formulation, determine root cause, and implement creative and effective solutions.
• Identify potential risks and obstacles in the test process and implement mitigation strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline
• 10+ years of experience with rocket systems test operations, flight test, oil and gas production operations or other relevant industry

• Demonstrated experience coordinating cross-functional teams and managing complex projects within a rapidly evolving environment

Would Be Nice To Have

• Masters degree in an engineering discipline
• Direct experience with liquid natural gas or liquid methane as a rocket propellant
• Background of technical expertise in sub-component to full flight system testing
• Experience with managing modest technical programs for cost, schedule and performance using industry-standard tools