Senior Integrated Operations Engineer

Rocket Lab Corporation; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation is seeking a Senior Engineer - Test and Launch Operations to provide hands-on technical leadership within the Test and Launch Operations team in the UK. You will drive operational improvements, fill key on-console roles, and enable cross-team problem solving to ensure missions launch on time with low risk.

The role requires 5+ years in engineering, test, and/or operations, plus the ability to read detailed schematics and follow complex instructions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronic Engineering, or equivalent.
• 5+ years' experience in engineering, test, and/or operations.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow detailed schematics, drawings, and instructions.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Willingness to work at heights and in confined spaces.

Responsibilities

• Identify and solve engineering challenges during test and launch campaigns.
• Perform operator duties during test and launch campaigns, including development, qualification, and flight acceptance testing.
• Facilitate inter-team problem solving to resolve issues impacting launch capability.
• Uphold and contribute to engineering best practices in Test and Launch Operations.
• Continuously improve and streamline testing and operational activities.
• Identify and implement quality, efficiency, and cost improvements.
• Optimize and automate checkout, processing, testing, and operations.
• Take ownership of process improvement initiatives and drive common processes and tools across Integrated Operations.
• Develop and implement solutions to support increasing operational cadence.
• Lead responsibilities in line with project priorities and timelines.

Skills

Communication skills

Self-driven

Detail-oriented

Pressure handling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CAD systems

LabVIEW

PLC development

Python

Java

Job description

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.

While other companies talk about it, we do it!

ABOUT ENGINEERING AT ROCKET LAB:

Engineering is at the heart of Rocket Lab . Our engineering team has a proven track record of designing and developing world-class rockets and spacecraft that are changing the way we access and use space . You'll work alongside driven , talented engineers from varied backgrounds and experience levels , all committed to the same mission . Our engineering team members span design , analysis , prototyping , testing , manufacturing , assembly and integration , quality control , engineering documentation , and more.

About the Role

As a Senior Engineer - Test and Launch Operations, you will provide hands-on technical leadership and project ownership within Rocket Lab's Test and Launch Operations team. You'll drive operational improvements, fill key on-console operations roles, and facilitate cross-team problem-solving to ensure our missions launch on time and with low risk. This is your opportunity to make a direct impact on the future of space access.

What You'll Get to Do:

Integrated Operations

• Identify and solve significant engineering challenges, independently or as part of a team


• Perform operator duties during test and launch campaigns, including development, qualification, and flight acceptance testing


• Facilitate inter-team problem solving to resolve issues impacting launch capability


• Uphold and contribute to engineering best practices in Test and Launch Operations


• Continuously improve and streamline testing and operational activities


• Identify and implement quality, efficiency, and cost improvements


• Optimize and automate checkout, processing, testing, and operations


• Take ownership of process improvement initiatives and drive common processes and tools across Integrated Operations


• Develop and implement solutions to support increasing operational cadence

Technical Leadership

• Support development of resourcing plans and hiring strategies aligned with team objectives


• Set the standard for professionalism and skill in operator duties


• Use experience and sound judgment to make complex, risk-based decisions with limited information

Process & Projects

• Lead and execute high-priority projects and systems for Test and Launch Operations


• Move with urgency, translating strategic priorities into action


• Take calculated risks to deliver solutions on time and within budget


• Challenge the status quo and seek creative solutions to tough problems


• Use metrics to drive accountability and continuous improvement

What You'll Bring:

Essential

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronic Engineering, or equivalent


• 5+ years' experience in engineering, test, and/or operations


• Ability to read, understand, and follow detailed schematics, drawings, and instructions


• Self-driven, motivated, and contagiously positive attitude


• Excellent communication skills and ability to build strong working relationships


• Meticulous work ethic with a keen eye for detail


• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines


• Comfortable working at heights and in confined spaces

Desirable

• 8+ years' experience in engineering, test, and/or operations


• 2+ years' experience leading time-critical, multi-disciplinary engineering operations


• Experience with launch vehicles or spacecraft, including integration, testing, launch, and/or mission operations


• Experience with CAD systems


• Proficiency in Java, Python, or other object-oriented programming languages


• Experience with LabVIEW and PLC development for data acquisition & real-time control

What Success Looks Like

You deliver results-on time and within budget-by rallying support, challenging the status quo, and driving accountability through metrics.

You're a role model for professionalism, positivity, and a "no job too tough" attitude.

You coach and mentor junior engineers, elevate team standards, and consistently contribute to a culture of excellence.

You communicate clearly and concisely, ensuring meetings and actions are purposeful and impactful.

You proactively identify and solve problems, always striving for the best outcome for the business.

Additional Information:

• Domestic and international travel may be required


• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance


• Adherence to health and safety policies and procedures