Senior Software Systems Engineer

Rocket Lab; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ seeks a Senior Software Systems Engineer II to design, develop, and test space-based electro-optical sensors. You will manage requirements, budgets, and verification, while guiding a team on complex space missions.

You will work closely with flight software, craft interfaces, and CONOPS, ensuring robust software across space and airborne platforms. This role emphasizes leadership, collaboration, and mission assurance in a high-tech defense environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (systems, software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
• Active Clearance
• 8+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry; with 3+ years directly supporting development projects and 2+ years in project or team leadership
• CAM and/or IPTL experience
• Experience with requirements management, workflow, and modeling tools such as JAMA, DOORS, JIRA, or Cameo
• U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements

Responsibilities

• Support the design, integration, and development of software for space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms
• Understand and interpret overall system architecture, deriving and allocating software and firmware requirements across interfaces
• Understand the software/firmware development pipeline from requirements through build, integration, test, and release
• Develop and maintain technical budgets and software system requirements and verification techniques
• Plan and define software verification and validation activities to align with requirements
• Mentor other engineers on systems engineering and V&V methodologies

Skills

Active Clearance

Leadership experience

Engineering experience

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Communication skills

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

JAMA

DOORS

JIRA

Cameo

MATLAB

Simulink

Job description

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.

The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help get to space — our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEER II

Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Senior Software Systems Engineer II based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to design, develop, and test space-based electro-optical sensors. Systems engineers are responsible for the development and maintenance of technical budgets, requirements definition, test planning and execution, and overall management of the systems engineering process. They also work hands-on with flight software and drive the technical development of our Space Systems missions.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Support the design, integration, and development of software for space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms
• Understand and interpret overall system architecture, deriving and allocating software and firmware requirements to ensure consistency across interfaces and subsystems
• Understand the software/firmware development pipeline and SW/FW development process, from requirements through build, integration, test, and release
• Develop and maintain:
• Technical budgets for vehicle performance
• Software System requirements and verification techniques
• Simulations and analysis across vehicle functions
• Test methods and data analysis
• Provide technical oversight of system software architecture, interfaces, mission assurance, and compliance
• Assist with program and product management
• Develop, in collaboration with team members, interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents
• Support the development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms
• Plan and define software verification and validation (V&V) activities, including verification methods, test strategy, and success criteria to confirm alignment with program and customer requirements
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks across the software and firmware development lifecycle
• Execute software verification test campaigns on the flatsat, development unit, or flight unit, including test setup, dry runs, and formal verification runs
• Verify the correct software build and configuration are under test, confirming the as-tested configuration matches the intended verification
• Support authoring, derivation, and verification of software and firmware requirements, and maintain requirements traceability throughout the development lifecycle, addressing conflicts or gaps
• Participate in technical interchange meetings (TIMs) and represent the organization in project discussions with internal stakeholders and external partners
• Mentor other engineers on systems engineering, requirements, and verification and validation (V&V) methodologies
• Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed

QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS SENIOR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEER II:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (systems, software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
• Active Clearance
• 8+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry; with 3+ years directly supporting development projects and 2+ years in project or team leadership
• CAM and/or IPTL experience
• A strong knowledge of how to interpret organizational, software, and hardware technical documents
• Demonstrable experience in systems engineering, with a strong focus on developing, testing, and integrating with space or airborne instruments
• Experience with requirements management, workflow, and modeling tools such as JAMA, DOORS, JIRA, or Cameo
• Experience supporting development programs
• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards, regulations, and practices
• U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Master’s or PhD in engineering (software or computer engineering)
• EO/IR payload integration experience
• Proficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent
• Experience with the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) from requirements development through systems operations and maintenance
• Knowledge of software interfaces and communications protocols
• Hands-on expertise leading troubleshooting and resolution of system-level issues
• Demonstrated experience working with minimal supervision in complex projects
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and explain complex implementation processes to other organization members

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.