Spacecraft Operations Engineer I/II

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.

SPACECRAFT OPERATIONS ENGINEER I/II

• Manage the health, safety, and performance of a growing fleet of satellites to meet mission objectives for commercial and government customers.

• 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.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including spacecraft design, software, propulsion, and ground systems, to enhance satellite and ground-based capabilities.

• Leverage automation as a key enabler to operate spacecraft, focusing on software-driven solutions for efficient and reliable mission execution.

• Design, develop, and test ground software for long-term space operations: ground scripting for robust and automated operations.

• Design, develop, and test flight software sequences and FDIR/telemetry configuration to ensure spacecraft health and fault management through software-driven processes.

• Maintain the continuous integration and testing of our operational code.

• Develop and test test methods and data analysis.

• Develop interface specifications, CONOPS, and other design documents.

• Run validation against spacecraft simulation tools: flatsat, HITL, etc.

• Support AIT teams across multiple spacecraft integrated tests (TVAC, propulsion stack, DITL).

• Perform requirements validation and verification for subsystems and spacecraft missions.

• Generate and maintain requirements for spacecraft missions, including the creation and disposition.

• Provide program and product support to team leads and program managers and be a key technical interface between the Auckland, NZ, Littleton, CO, and Long Beach, CA USA engineering teams.

Qualifications

• Spacecraft Operations Engineer I:

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
  • Experience in any of the following: space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command control or spacecraft operations
  • Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their associated components, including attitude determination and control, spacecraft electrical power systems, space-ground communications, on-orbit command and data handling, and thermal control
  • Understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
  • Software development experience (Python/Ruby/C/C++/other high-level languages)
  • U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements

• Spacecraft Operations Engineer II:

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
  • 2+ years of direct experience in any of the following: space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command control or spacecraft operations
  • Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their associated components, including attitude determination and control, spacecraft electrical power systems, space-ground communications, on-orbit command and data handling, and thermal control
  • Understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
  • Software development experience (Python/Ruby/C/C++/other high-level languages)
  • U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements

• Master’s or PhD engineering in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline) would be nice to have

• Prior experience in spacecraft operations, satellite system design, satellite ground systems, modern development practices – GIT, CI/CD, cloud infrastructure, Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) Testing, and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Testing would be nice to have

Benefits

• Top tier medical HMO, PPO, and a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option

• Dental and vision coverage

• 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year

• 11 paid holidays per year

• Flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts

• Paid parental leave

• Disability insurance

• Life insurance

• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match

• Discounted employee stock purchase program

• Subsidized EV charging stations

• Onc-site gym

• Food and drinks

• Other discounts

Important Information

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.