Senior Optical Systems Engineer I

Rocket Lab; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division seeks a Senior Systems Engineer I based at the Tucson, AZ site to design, develop, and test space-based electro‑optical sensors. You will apply engineering best practices to ensure success of complex missions and contribute to pioneering space projects.

Join a driven team delivering high-performance spacecraft, payloads, and components for Moon and Mars missions. A Bachelor’s in electrical/systems/aerospace engineering and 5+ years of engineering experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline.
• 5+ 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
• 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: SSBI clearance; EO/IR payload integration; spacecraft bus interfaces; avionics architecture; closed-loop control applications
• Experience defining or troubleshooting electrical architectures for sensors, actuators, motors, etc.

Responsibilities

• 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
• Define, decompose, and manage system requirements with focus on electrical behavior, control functions, subsystem interactions, and overall system performance

Skills

5+ years experience

technical leadership

systems engineering

electrical architecture

integration & test

hardware-software collaboration

documentation & spec

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical/systems/aerospace engineering

Tools

JAMA

DOORS

Cameo

Job description

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division seeks a Senior Systems Engineer I based at the Tucson, AZ site to design, develop, and test space-based electro‑optical sensors. You will apply engineering best practices to ensure success of complex missions and contribute to pioneering space projects.

Join a driven team delivering high-performance spacecraft, payloads, and components for Moon and Mars missions. A Bachelor’s in electrical/systems/aerospace engineering and 5+ years of engineering experience