Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer

Rocket Lab; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Auckland seeks a Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer to own spacecraft operations across a growing fleet, from LEO to deep-space missions. You’ll design how spacecraft are operated, shaping automation, software, and mission success from concept to re-entry.

Collaborate with world-class teams in propulsion, flight software, GNC, and mission design to turn ambitious ideas into reliable capabilities, while improving systems and processes under tight schedules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, Systems, Software engineering or other engineering degree
• 4+ years of experience in space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, or spacecraft operations
• Background in mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, or spacecraft operations/command
• Familiarity with Linux systems and software development experience, such as Python, C++, or other high-level languages
• Strong understanding of spacecraft systems (ADCS, power, comms, C&DH, thermal)
• Solid grasp of orbital mechanics, space environment, and dynamics
• Proven ability to thrive in fast-paced, multi-priority environments
• Postgraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering
• Experience in spacecraft ops, satellite design, or ground systems
• Familiarity with modern dev tools (Git, CI/CD, cloud)
• Hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing experience

Responsibilities

• Command and operate spacecraft with automation at the core
• Develop and test ground and flight software for long-term missions
• Build robust operational scripts and telemetry/FDIR configurations
• Lead validation using simulation tools (HITL, flatsat)
• Support spacecraft through integration, testing, launch, and on-orbit life
• Drive continuous improvement across systems, processes, and performance

Skills

Linux

Python

C++

Spacecraft systems

Orbital mechanics

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace, Systems, Software engineering or other engineering degree

Tools

Git

CI/CD

Cloud

Job description

Rocket Lab in Auckland seeks a Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer to own spacecraft operations across a growing fleet, from LEO to deep-space missions. You’ll design how spacecraft are operated, shaping automation, software, and mission success from concept to re-entry.

Collaborate with world-class teams in propulsion, flight software, GNC, and mission design to turn ambitious ideas into reliable capabilities, while improving systems and processes under tight schedules.