Head of Space Payloads Engineering

Telemetry Today LLC; Tucson (AZ); Híbrido; USD 170.000 - 250.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ seeks a Chief Principal Engineer to lead the design, development, and integration of next-generation space-based electro-optical sensor systems. You will guide a multidisciplinary team from requirements through integration, test, and sustainment to ensure mission success.

The role demands a strong background in aerospace/defense, active security clearances, and proven delivery of complex space systems on time and within budget.

Formación

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline with 12+ years of professional experience.
• Active Secret/Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.
• Proven ability to deliver complex aerospace or defense systems on cost, on schedule, and to performance requirements.
• Prior experience as a chief engineer or technical authority on a program of record or major defense contract.
• Experience leading large-scale proposals, including technical volumes and customer-facing reviews.
• Strong record of interfacing with senior government customers and building trusted technical relationships.
• Ability to motivate and guide teams without direct line authority, achieving alignment across diverse organizations and subcontractors.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.
• Comfort working in classified environments 25%+ of the time.

Responsabilidades

• Own the technical baseline for programs: serve as the technical authority across systems engineering, hardware, software, and test.
• Lead critical reviews: chair program gate reviews from SRR through TRR, assessing design maturity, readiness, and risk posture.
• Shape system architecture: direct development and integration of architectures spanning payload, ground systems, and mission operations.
• Guide execution: oversee engineering performance to deliver on cost, schedule, and technical objectives, including subcontractor oversight.
• Champion engineering excellence: enforce standards, processes, and quality while advancing MBSE and Digital Engineering.
• Manage risk & opportunity: own the program Risk Register, mitigating risks and capturing opportunities to improve performance.
• Engage with stakeholders: act as the primary technical interface with customer technical teams, subcontractors, and leadership.
• Support growth: contribute to proposals, technical volumes, and reviews, shaping future opportunities.
• Mentor engineers across disciplines, fostering collaboration and technical excellence.

Conocimientos

Security clearance with SCI

Technical leadership

Systems engineering

Aerospace/defense experience

Proposals & customer reviews

Cross-organizational coordination

Travel willingness

Classified environments experience

MBSE / digital engineering

Educación

Bachelor’s degree in technical discipline

Master’s degree in technical discipline

PhD in technical discipline

Descripción del empleo

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ seeks a Chief Principal Engineer to lead the design, development, and integration of next-generation space-based electro-optical sensor systems. You will guide a multidisciplinary team from requirements through integration, test, and sustainment to ensure mission success.

The role demands a strong background in aerospace/defense, active security clearances, and proven delivery of complex space systems on time and within budget.