Spacecraft Operations Engineer II

About the role

The Spacecraft Operations Engineer II supports 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. This role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including spacecraft design, software, propulsion, and ground systems.

Responsibilities

• 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 ops
• 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
• Ensure the on-call or shifts of operations
• Develop 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
• 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

Requirements

• 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)

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD engineering in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline) (nice to have)
• Prior experience in spacecraft operations (nice to have)
• Prior experience in satellite system design (nice to have)
• Prior experience in satellite ground systems (nice to have)
• Exposure to modern development practices – GIT, CI/CD, cloud infrastructure (nice to have)
• Exposure to Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) Testing (nice to have)
• Familiarity with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Testing (nice to have)

Additional Requirements

• Sit at desk and operate computer, keyboard and office equipment for extended periods
• Use hands with dexterity to operate controls, tools and technical equipment, as needed
• Read technical documents, drawings, and computer screens requiring close and distance vision
• Move between buildings, labs, and work areas, as needed
• Work in office and technical environments with occasional exposure to noise, dust and fumes in production area

What To Expect

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels valued and respected. We believe in fostering a collaborative environment where everyone's voice is heard and where we work together to achieve our goals. We are proud of our team and the impact they make every day. If you share our passion for innovation and excellence, we encourage you to apply.

Important Information For Candidates

• 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.
• Learn more about ITAR here.
• Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.