Senior Software Systems Engineer II

Rocket Lab Corporation; Tucson (AZ); In loco; USD 120.000 - 170.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Rocket Lab, a leader in space systems, seeks a Senior Software Systems Engineer II in Tucson, AZ. You will design and test software for space-based optical instruments and payloads, manage requirements, and oversee software/firmware integration across missions.

This role emphasizes leadership, verification, and cross-disciplinary collaboration within a fast-paced Space Systems team. You’ll work closely with flight software, systems engineering, and program management, mentoring peers and

Competenze

• Active clearance
• 8+ years engineering experience in aerospace with 2+ years in software development and 1+ year in leadership
• Strong ability to interpret software/hardware technical documents
• Experience in systems software engineering with space/airborne instruments
• Experience with requirements management and modeling tools (JAMA/DOORS/JIRA/Cameo)
• Experience supporting development programs
• U.S. citizenship is required for program eligibility

Mansioni

• Design, integrate, and develop software for space-based optical instruments and payloads on airborne/space platforms
• Interpret system architecture and allocate software/firmware requirements across interfaces
• Manage SW/FW development pipeline from requirements to build, test, and release
• Develop and maintain technical budgets for vehicle performance
• Define software system requirements and verification techniques
• Run simulations and analyses across vehicle functions
• Plan and execute tests and analyze data
• Provide oversight of software architecture, interfaces, and mission assurance
• Support program and product management activities
• Create interface specifications and CONOPS with team
• Support development/testing of space payloads on spacecraft
• Lead software verification campaigns on flatsats/units
• Ensure as-tested configurations match intended verification
• Author and verify software/firmware requirements and traceability
• Participate in TIMs and represent the organization
• Mentor engineers on systems engineering, requirements, and V&V
• Travel or off-site work as needed

Conoscenze

Clearance

Aerospace experience

Systems software engineering

Requirements analysis

Leadership

Technical documentation interpretation

Strumenti

JAMA

DOORS

JIRA

Cameo

Descrizione del lavoro

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

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:

• Design, integrate, and develop 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 programs 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
• 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:

• Active Clearance
• 8+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry; with 2+ years directly supporting software development projects and 1+ years in project or team leadership
• A strong knowledge of how to interpret organizational, software, and hardware technical documents
• Demonstrable experience in systems software 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
• U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements

NICE TO HAVES:

• 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.

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here .

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.