Senior Satellite Systems Architect & Mission Lead

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 255,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team leads the formulation of new satellite systems, supporting civil, national security, and commercial opportunities. You will manage budgets, requirements, test planning, and the overall engineering process, ensuring alignment with customer needs and leadership expectations.

Based in Long Beach, CA, you will work with the VP of Business Development and the Space Systems organization to shape proposals and deliver technically rigorous architectures for missions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
• 8+ years of experience in the aerospace industry
• Experience supporting satellite and/or spacecraft development programs
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
• US citizenship is required, due to program requirements

Responsibilities

• Lead satellite engineering formulation supporting business development and new opportunity capture
• Develop and maintain technical budgets for vehicle performance
• Define system requirements and verification techniques
• Perform simulations and analyses across vehicle functions
• Develop test methods and data analysis
• Own the technical development of spacecraft missions
• Collaborate on interface specifications and CONOPS definitions
• Write architecture for key proposals with customers and leadership

Skills

Systems engineering

Proposal writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master’s or PhD in engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

STK

Job description

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team leads the formulation of new satellite systems, supporting civil, national security, and commercial opportunities. You will manage budgets, requirements, test planning, and the overall engineering process, ensuring alignment with customer needs and leadership expectations.

Based in Long Beach, CA, you will work with the VP of Business Development and the Space Systems organization to shape proposals and deliver technically rigorous architectures for missions.