Senior Launch Operations Lead: Vehicle Test & Flight

Telemetry Today LLC; Virginia; On-site; USD 107,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Excellent benefits

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Wallops Island, Virginia, seeks a Lead, Test & Launch Engineer - Vehicle to manage end-to-end testing, launch, and mission operations for Electron and Neutron launch vehicles. You will oversee teams, develop training, and ensure readiness of propulsion and vehicle systems.

The role emphasizes leadership across disciplines, development of CONOPS, and improvement of procedures, with a focus on safe, reliable launches at a fast pace.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, chemical engineering.
• 5-8+ years of engineering experience with propulsion systems, aviation, launch vehicles, or spacecraft.
• Demonstrated proficiency with rocket propulsion systems and fluid/thermal systems.
• Experience with high-reliability aerospace systems design, test, or operations.
• Experience with vehicle tanking, propellant handling, and pressurized fluid systems.
• Demonstrated leadership competencies, especially change management, conflict resolution, knowing when to elevate help, and effectively managing a team.
• Understanding of hazardous operations and safety protocols for propulsion systems.
• Experience developing operational procedures, test plans, and conducting mission simulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of engineers for vehicle mechanical, propulsion, and fluid systems across Electron and Neutron launch operations.
• Serve as console operator in Mission Control during test campaigns, rehearsals, and launches.
• Develop and maintain CONOPS for vehicle systems.
• Create and improve test plans, procedures, and checklists for vehicle operations.
• Design and implement HMIs for monitoring and control of vehicle systems.
• Lead operational readiness reviews, training simulations, and mission rehearsals.
• Perform real-time troubleshooting and data analysis during live operations to resolve anomalies.
• Conduct post-test and post-launch data analysis to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Develop training programs and qualification matrices for operators.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action programs for vehicle anomalies.
• Drive development of Neutron vehicle operations procedures and testing campaigns.
• Lead engineers as experienced operators across multiple systems and scenarios.
• Responsible for leading teams of engineers and ensuring readiness and capability of their discipline area.
• Develop training programs, conduct readiness reviews, and serve as primary technical authority for systems during mission-critical operations.

Skills

Propulsion systems

Flight hardware testing

Leadership

Operational readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, chemical engineering

Job description

Rocket Lab in Wallops Island, Virginia, seeks a Lead, Test & Launch Engineer - Vehicle to manage end-to-end testing, launch, and mission operations for Electron and Neutron launch vehicles. You will oversee teams, develop training, and ensure readiness of propulsion and vehicle systems.

The role emphasizes leadership across disciplines, development of CONOPS, and improvement of procedures, with a focus on safe, reliable launches at a fast pace.