Senior Robotics Systems Engineer II - Lead Space Robotics

Rocket Lab USA; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Medical, dental, vision plans

Paid time off

401(k) with company match

Onsite fitness centers

Discounted merch store

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer II to serve as the project technical lead for complex aerospace robotic systems, bridging mechanical, electrical, software and manufacturing teams to turn customer mission needs into robust, testable solutions.

You will own system architecture, requirements, ICDs, interfaces, verification plans, and delivery while guiding technical reviews and mentoring junior engineers; U.S. citizenship is required by ITAR.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of engineering experience.
• Experience as technical lead or cognizant engineer.
• Experience across the full development lifecycle (requirements, integration, V&V).
• Hands-on robotics hardware/software troubleshooting.
• Experience coordinating software, controls, electrical, and mechanical teams.
• U.S. citizenship required due to ITAR.

Responsibilities

• Act as project technical lead for complex robotic systems.
• Own system architecture, requirements, interfaces, verification methods, and acceptance criteria.
• Develop and manage ICDs and traceability from customer needs to subsystems.
• Lead cross-functional execution and major technical decisions.
• Define hardware-software interfaces and operating modes.
• Lead integration and troubleshooting of robotic hardware and ROS/ROS2 applications.
• Develop CONOPS, system requirements, ICDs, budgets, verification plans.
• Plan and lead system integration, verification, and acceptance activities.
• Lead formal technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR).
• Mentor less-experienced engineers and support program management.

Skills

System integration

Technical leadership

Requirements management

Robotics integration

Customer interfacing

V&V

Education

Bachelors in engineering

Tools

ROS/ROS2

Python

C++

MATLAB

Job description

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer II to serve as the project technical lead for complex aerospace robotic systems, bridging mechanical, electrical, software and manufacturing teams to turn customer mission needs into robust, testable solutions.

You will own system architecture, requirements, ICDs, interfaces, verification plans, and delivery while guiding technical reviews and mentoring junior engineers; U.S. citizenship is required by ITAR.