ABOUT ROCKET LAB
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.
SPACE SYSTEMS
Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.
The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help get to space — our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.
SENIOR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEER II
Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.
As a Senior Software Systems Engineer II based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to design, develop, and test space-based electro-optical sensors. Systems engineers are responsible for the development and maintenance of technical budgets, requirements definition, test planning and execution, and overall management of the systems engineering process. They also work hands-on with flight software and drive the technical development of our Space Systems missions.
WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:
- Design, integrate, and develop software for space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms
- Understand and interpret overall system architecture, deriving and allocating software and firmware requirements to ensure consistency across interfaces and subsystems
- Understand the software/firmware development pipeline and SW/FW development process, from requirements through build, integration, test, and release
- Develop and maintain:
- Technical budgets for vehicle performance
- Software System requirements and verification techniques
- Simulations and analysis across vehicle functions
- Test methods and data analysis
- Provide technical oversight of system software architecture, interfaces, mission assurance, and compliance
- Assist with programs and product management
- Develop, in collaboration with team members, interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents
- Support the development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms
- Execute software verification test campaigns on the flatsat, development unit, or flight unit, including test setup, dry runs, and formal verification runs
- Verify the correct software build and configuration are under test, confirming the as-tested configuration matches the intended verification
- Support authoring, derivation, and verification of software and firmware requirements, and maintain requirements traceability throughout the development lifecycle, addressing conflicts or gaps
- Participate in technical interchange meetings (TIMs) and represent the organization in project discussions with internal stakeholders and external partners
- Mentor other engineers on systems engineering, requirements, and verification and validation (V&V) methodologies
- Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed
QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS SENIOR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEER II:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering (software or computer engineering)
- Active Clearance
- 8+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry; with 2+ years directly supporting software development projects and 1+ years in project or team leadership
- A strong knowledge of how to interpret organizational, software, and hardware technical documents
- Demonstrable experience in systems software engineering, with a strong focus on developing, testing, and integrating with space or airborne instruments
- Experience with requirements management, workflow, and modeling tools such as JAMA, DOORS, JIRA, or Cameo
- Experience supporting development programs
- U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements
NICE TO HAVES:
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Master’s or PhD in engineering (software or computer engineering)
- EO/IR payload integration experience
- Proficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent
- Experience with the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) from requirements development through systems operations and maintenance
- Knowledge of software interfaces and communications protocols
- Hands-on expertise leading troubleshooting and resolution of system-level issues
- Demonstrated experience working with minimal supervision in complex projects
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and explain complex implementation processes to other organization members
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
WHAT TO EXPECT
We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.
Important information:
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:
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. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [email protected] dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:
For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, including systems, software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or another technical engineering discipline
- Active security clearance
- At least 8 years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry
- At least 3 years directly supporting development projects
- At least 2 years of project or team leadership experience
- Experience in systems software engineering, including development, testing, and integration with space or airborne instruments
- Experience with requirements management, workflow, and modeling tools such as JAMA, DOORS, JIRA, or Cameo
- Experience supporting development programs
- CAM and/or IPTL experience
- Familiarity with aerospace industry standards, regulations, and practices
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Master's or PhD in engineering
- Electro-optical or infrared payload integration experience
- Proficiency with Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent system modeling and analysis tools
- Experience across the software development lifecycle from requirements through operations and maintenance
- Knowledge of software interfaces and communications protocols
- Experience leading troubleshooting and resolution of system-level issues
Rocket Lab Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Rocket Lab and has not been reviewed or approved by Rocket Lab.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as robust, with multiple HMO/PPO options and a 100% company‑sponsored HSA plan alongside dental and vision. Company materials and postings also note life and disability insurance and an overall strong medical offering for U.S. roles.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity participation is emphasized through RSUs and a discounted ESPP with a look‑back feature, positioned as a meaningful part of total rewards. Filings and benefits summaries highlight broad accessibility to ownership programs across many roles.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is outlined as a full suite that includes paid vacation, sick time, paid holidays, and paid parental leave. Some locations also feature supportive extras such as a childcare concierge and onsite amenities.
Rocket Lab Insights
What We Do
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, spacecraft components, satellites and other spacecraft and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle and the Photon satellite platform and is developing the Neutron 8-ton payload class launch vehicle. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered 100+ satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft platform has been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a second launch site in Virginia, USA which is expected to become operational in late 2022. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.
