Lead Launch Pad Test & Operations Engineer

Rocket Lab Corporation; Wallops Island (VA); On-site; USD 149,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant

Stock purchase program

Medical, dental & vision plans

Paid vacation & sick time

11 paid holidays

Flexible spending & dependent care

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation is hiring a Lead Test & Launch Operations Engineer – Launch Pad based at Wallops Island, VA. You will oversee end-to-end testing, launch, and mission operations for Electron and Neutron launch vehicles, coordinating across disciplines to resolve issues and scale procedures for increasing cadence.

You will develop CONOPS, train teams, conduct readiness reviews, and supervise real-time operations from Mission Control and ground systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field as listed.
• Minimum 5+ years of engineering experience in ground systems, industrial controls, or launch operations.
• Experience with cryogenic and propellant handling operations.
• Strong leadership and safety-focused mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage launch pad ground systems teams for Electron and Neutron operations.
• Serve as console operator in Mission Control during test campaigns and launches.
• Develop and maintain CONOPS for launchpad systems and ground support equipment.
• Create and improve test plans, procedures, and checklists for ground systems operations.
• Design HMIs for monitoring and control of ground systems.
• Conduct readiness reviews, training simulations, and mission rehearsals.
• Analyze data and troubleshoot real-time ground systems during live operations.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action for ground systems issues.

Skills

Mission control operations

Team leadership

Operational readiness

Data analysis

Root cause analysis

Training programs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, chemical engineering, or other technical field

Tools

Ground support equipment

Industrial control systems (PLCs)

Automated sequencing

HMIs

Cryogenic systems

Propellant handling

Launch pad systems

Job description

Rocket Lab Corporation is hiring a Lead Test & Launch Operations Engineer – Launch Pad based at Wallops Island, VA. You will oversee end-to-end testing, launch, and mission operations for Electron and Neutron launch vehicles, coordinating across disciplines to resolve issues and scale procedures for increasing cadence.

You will develop CONOPS, train teams, conduct readiness reviews, and supervise real-time operations from Mission Control and ground systems.