Senior Satellite Systems Architect – Mission Design

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

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Top-tier medical plans

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

401(k) with company match

EV charging subsidy

Job summary

Rocket Lab, based in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Senior Systems Engineer II – Mission Architecture to lead formulation of new satellite systems, manage budgets, and define requirements for high‑profile missions. You will support business development, collaborate with leadership, and shape key proposals through rigorous engineering analysis.

You will develop system budgets, requirements, and verification plans, and guide simulations across vehicle functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (software, electrical, aerospace, mechanical or related)
• 8+ years in aerospace
• Experience with satellite/spacecraft development programs

Responsibilities

• Lead satellite engineering formulation to support business development and capture new opportunities
• Develop and maintain technical budgets for vehicle performance
• Define system requirements and verification techniques; perform simulations and data analysis
• Lead development of spacecraft missions and assist with program management
• Collaborate on interface specs, CONOPS, and design documents
• Engage with customers and leadership to shape requirements and write core architecture for proposals

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical budgeting

Requirements verification

Simulations

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

STK

CAD

DOORS/JAMA

Job description

Rocket Lab, based in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Senior Systems Engineer II – Mission Architecture to lead formulation of new satellite systems, manage budgets, and define requirements for high‑profile missions. You will support business development, collaborate with leadership, and shape key proposals through rigorous engineering analysis.

You will develop system budgets, requirements, and verification plans, and guide simulations across vehicle functions.