Senior Robotics Systems Engineer — Spacecraft & Automation

Rocket Lab Corporation; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 119,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock purchase program

Medical plans

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Paid vacation

Holidays (11)

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer II for its Space Systems team in Pasadena, CA. The role leads complex robotic systems development across mechanical, electrical, software, and manufacturing domains, translating mission needs into robust system solutions.

You will own system definition, requirements, ICDs, and hardware-software interfaces, guiding teams through integration, verification, and delivery. Strong leadership and cross‑functional collaboration are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline (aerospace, mechanical, electrical, software, robotics, or related).
• 8+ years of engineering experience with robotic/mechatronic or complex electromechanical systems.
• Experience as a technical lead, cognizant engineer, or system owner.
• End-to-end development lifecycle experience: requirements, integration, verification/validation.
• Hands-on experience with robotics hardware and software troubleshooting.
• Experience coordinating multiple teams to deliver integrated robotic systems.
• Strong systems engineering fundamentals: requirements, ICDs, risk, V&V.
• US citizenship required for program eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Act as project technical lead or cognizant engineer for complex robotic systems.
• Own system architecture, requirements, interfaces, verification methods, and acceptance criteria.
• Develop ICDs, traceability from customer needs to subsystem specs.
• Lead cross-functional execution and major technical decisions.
• Define hardware-software interfaces and system behaviors.
• Lead integration, testing, and diagnosis of robotic hardware and ROS/ROS2 apps.
• Prepare CONOPS, budgets, verification plans, and technical decision records.
• Plan and lead system integration, verification, validation, qualification, and acceptance.
• Lead formal technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and communicate status.
• Mentor junior engineers on systems engineering and robotics integration.
• Support program management with technical inputs on schedule and cost.

Skills

Technical lead

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Hardware-software integration

Customer interfacing

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, software, robotics, or related field

Tools

ROS/ROS2

MATLAB

Python

C++

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer II for its Space Systems team in Pasadena, CA. The role leads complex robotic systems development across mechanical, electrical, software, and manufacturing domains, translating mission needs into robust system solutions.

You will own system definition, requirements, ICDs, and hardware-software interfaces, guiding teams through integration, verification, and delivery. Strong leadership and cross‑functional collaboration are essential.