Senior Electrical Systems Architect — Space Payloads

Rocket Lab USA; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer in Tucson, AZ to lead end-to-end development of advanced space payloads. You will shape electrical architectures, define interfaces, and collaborate across hardware, software, and firmware teams to ensure mission success.

The role emphasizes development lifecycle involvement, verification, and risk mitigation, with opportunities to influence system-level decisions for national security and space exploration missions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering or related technical field.
• 12+ years engineering experience with 3+ years in development programs and 2+ years in technical leadership (CAM/IPTL or equivalent).
• Experience with electrical architecture, subsystem integration, and controls-focused development.

Responsibilities

• Define and decompose system requirements with emphasis on electrical behavior and controls.
• Develop and maintain architecture descriptions, interface control documents, and verification artifacts.
• Support integration and test of space payloads and ensure alignment with requirements and mission goals.

Skills

Systems engineering

Electrical architecture

Requirements management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical/Systems/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

JAMA

DOORS

Cameo

Job description

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer in Tucson, AZ to lead end-to-end development of advanced space payloads. You will shape electrical architectures, define interfaces, and collaborate across hardware, software, and firmware teams to ensure mission success.

The role emphasizes development lifecycle involvement, verification, and risk mitigation, with opportunities to influence system-level decisions for national security and space exploration missions.