Senior Integrated Operations Engineer - Team Y

Rocket Lab; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a senior engineering professional to lead test, launch, and mission operations for Electron launch vehicles and related systems. You will own configuration, checkout, and operation of test stands and control centers while guiding teams through complex operational sequences.

The role emphasizes leadership in high-reliability environments, strong troubleshooting, and clear communication to ensure mission success and safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• Extensive experience in electrical systems for launch vehicles, spacecraft, or high-reliability environments.
• Proven leadership in test, launch, and mission operations.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and process-improvement skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, scheduling, and execution of test, launch, and mission operations for Electron launch vehicles and related systems.
• Define, develop, and optimize test and operational requirements, procedures, and CONOPs.
• Take ownership of configuration, checkout, and operation of test stands, launch pads, and control centers.
• Direct integration, installation, and troubleshooting of electrical systems on launch vehicles, spacecraft, and ground support equipment.
• Lead on-console operations, maintaining real-time situational awareness and communications during critical operations.
• Mentor and train other operators, sharing expertise and best practices.
• Drive process improvements, automation, and standardization across Integrated Operations.
• Prepare and present technical documentation, readiness reviews, and post-operation analyses.

Skills

Leadership

Test operations

Troubleshooting

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Telemetry systems

Power systems

RF systems

Automation tooling

Job description

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

While other companies talk about it, we do it!

About Engineering At Rocket Lab

Engineering is at the heart of Rocket Lab. Our engineering team has a proven track record of designing and developing world-class rockets and spacecraft that are changing the way we access and use space. You’ll work alongside driven, talented engineers from varied backgrounds and experience levels, all committed to the same mission. Our engineering team members span design, analysis, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, assembly and integration, quality control, engineering documentation, and more.

What You’ll Get To Do

• Lead the planning, scheduling, and execution of test, launch, and mission operations for Electron launch vehicles and related systems.
• Define, develop, and optimize test and operational requirements, procedures, and Concepts of Operations (CONOPs).
• Take ownership of the configuration, checkout, and operation of test stands, launch pads, and control centers.
• Direct integration, installation, and troubleshooting of electrical systems on launch vehicles, spacecraft, and ground support equipment.
• Lead on-console operations, maintaining real-time situational awareness and communications during critical operations.
• Mentor and train other operators, sharing your expertise and best practices.
• Drive process improvements, automation, and standardization across Integrated Operations.
• Prepare and present technical documentation, readiness reviews, and post-operation analyses.

You’ll Bring These Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in electrical systems for launch vehicles, spacecraft, or similar high-reliability environments.
• Proven leadership in test, launch, and mission operations.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and process improvement skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience with avionics, power systems, RF systems, telemetry, or command & control systems.
• Familiarity with automation and optimization of operational workflows.
• Experience mentoring and training technical teams.
• Previous experience in a fast-paced, safety-critical aerospace environment.

What To Expect

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important Information

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.