Lead Space Systems Engineer - Optics & Payloads

Rocket Lab Corporation; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Optical Systems seeks a Lead Systems Engineer to drive electrical architecture, controls implementation, and system-level integration for space payloads. You will guide cross-functional teams across hardware, software, and firmware to ensure mission success in a challenging defense and space domain.

Located in Tucson, AZ, this role requires deep aerospace systems expertise, leadership, and a history of delivering complex payloads from concept to verification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline.
• 12+ years of engineering experience, including 3+ years leading development programs.
• Demonstrated systems engineering with emphasis on electrical architecture and controls development.
• Strong background in electrical interfaces, avionics integration, or subsystem architecture.
• Experience with requirements management and modeling tools (JAMA/DOORS/Cameo).
• Experience across hardware, software, and firmware lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Develop system architecture for space-based optical instruments and payloads with emphasis on electrical architecture and controls integration.
• Define and manage system requirements and interfaces for optimal subsystem interactions.
• Create and maintain architecture docs, interface control documents, and test plans.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, firmware, and test teams to ensure alignment with requirements and mission intent.
• Support verification activities and test planning across electrical and functional architectures.
• Participate in technical interchange meetings with internal teams and customers.

Skills

Electrical architecture

Systems engineering

Subsystem integration

Controls development

Avionics integration

Requirements management

Modeling tools (JAMA/DOORS/Cameo)

Education

Bachelor’s in electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering

Tools

JAMA

DOORS

Cameo

Job description

Rocket Lab Optical Systems seeks a Lead Systems Engineer to drive electrical architecture, controls implementation, and system-level integration for space payloads. You will guide cross-functional teams across hardware, software, and firmware to ensure mission success in a challenging defense and space domain.

Located in Tucson, AZ, this role requires deep aerospace systems expertise, leadership, and a history of delivering complex payloads from concept to verification.