Principal Systems Engineer

Rocket Lab; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 160,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to drive system architecture for space-based optical instruments and payloads, collaborating across hardware, software, firmware, and test teams.

You will define requirements, develop documentation, support verification and validation, and lead trade studies on sensors, power, data handling, and controls, with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated systems engineering experience with emphasis on electrical architecture, subsystem integration, and controls focused development.
• Strong background in electrical interfaces, control functions, avionics integration, or subsystem architecture.
• Experience developing system requirements, interface definitions, and verification approaches for complex systems.

Responsibilities

• Support development of system architecture for space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads on airborne and space platforms, with emphasis on electrical architecture and controls integration.
• Define, decompose, and manage system requirements with focus on electrical behavior, control functions, subsystem interactions, and overall system performance.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation including architecture descriptions, interface control documents, electrical interface definitions, concepts of operations, state and mode descriptions, test plans, and verification artifacts.
• Support development of electrical and functional architectures, including command and telemetry flow, power distribution, control logic, signal paths, timing, synchronization, and subsystem interaction.

Skills

Electrical architecture

Systems engineering

Aerospace engineering

Requirements management

Documentation

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering

Tools

JAMA

DOORS

Cameo

Job description

Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Principal Systems Engineer for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ, you will be involved throughout the entire lifecycle of advanced space payloads in support of Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Support the development of system architecture for space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads on airborne and space platforms, with emphasis on electrical architecture and controls integration
• Define, decompose, and manage system requirements with focus on electrical behavior, control functions, subsystem interactions, and overall system performance
• Develop and maintain technical documentation including architecture descriptions, interface control documents, electrical interface definitions, concepts of operations, state and mode descriptions, test plans, and verification artifacts
• Support development of electrical and functional architectures, including command and telemetry flow, power distribution, control logic, signal paths, timing, synchronization, and subsystem interaction
• Collaborate with hardware, software, firmware, and test teams to ensure the electrical architecture and controls implementation align with system requirements and mission intent
• Support the development, integration, and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms
• Support hardware and software development teams with system-level test planning, debugging, integration, and execution of verification procedures; analyze data and recommend design refinements
• Participate in hardware and software verification and validation activities related to system behavior, electrical performance, controls implementation, and interface compliance
• Support architecture trades involving sensors, motor control, embedded electronics, power systems, command and data handling, and subsystem interfaces
• Participate in technical interchange meetings and project discussions with internal teams, customers, and external partners as needed
• Identify, assess, and help mitigate technical risks related to electrical architecture, controls implementation, and subsystem integration
• Support travel or off-site work as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS PRINCIPAL SYSTEMS ENGINEER:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline
• 12+ years of engineering experience, including 3+ years supporting development programs and 2+ years in technical leadership, CAM, IPTL, or equivalent role
• Demonstrated systems engineering experience with emphasis on electrical architecture, subsystem integration, and controls focused development
• Strong electrical engineering background supporting complex aerospace, payload, avionics, or instrument systems
• Experience developing system requirements, interface definitions, and verification approaches for complex systems
• Strong background in electrical interfaces, control functions, avionics integration, or subsystem architecture
• Experience with requirements management and modeling tools such as JAMA, DOORS, Cameo, or similar tools
• Experience working across hardware, software, and firmware development throughout the lifecycle
• Familiarity with command and telemetry interfaces, power architectures, signal interfaces, timing, synchronization, and control logic
• Experience supporting integration and test, including troubleshooting electrical or controls-related issues at the subsystem or system level
• Strong ability to read, interpret, and develop electrical, interface, and system technical documentation
• Familiarity with aerospace development standards, environmental testing, and mission assurance practices

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Current SSBI clearance
• EO/IR payload integration experience
• Experience with spacecraft bus interfaces, payload electrical integration, avionics architecture, or embedded electronics
• Experience with pointing, stabilization, gimbals, motion control, focus/control electronics, or other closed-loop control applications
• Experience defining or troubleshooting electrical architectures for sensors, actuators, motors, power systems, or embedded controllers
• Hands-on expertise leading troubleshooting and resolution of system-level electrical or controls-related issues
• Demonstrated experience working with minimal supervision in complex projects
• Experience in astronomy, physics, or remote sensing
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and explain complex implementation processes to other organization members
• Strong communication, task management, and cross-functional coordination skills

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.