Senior Space Payloads Engineer & Technical Lead

Rocket Lab Corporation; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ, seeks a Principal Engineer to lead the design, development, and integration of next-generation space-based electro-optical sensor systems. You will guide a multi-disciplinary team through requirements definition, integration, test, and sustainment to ensure mission success.

You will serve as the technical authority, shaping architecture across payload, ground systems, and mission operations, and collaborate with customers and subcontractors while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in technical discipline with 12+ years of professional experience.
• Active Secret/Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.
• Proven ability to deliver complex aerospace or defense systems on cost, on schedule, and to performance requirements.
• Prior experience as a chief engineer or technical authority on a program of record or major defense contract.
• Experience leading large-scale proposals, including technical volumes and customer-facing reviews.
• Strong record of interfacing with senior government customers and building trusted technical relationships.
• Ability to motivate and guide teams without direct line authority, achieving alignment across diverse organizations and subcontractors.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%
• Comfort working in classified environments with sensitive program information
• Ability to work in classified environments 25%+ of the time

Responsibilities

• Own the technical baseline for programs: Serve as the technical authority across systems engineering, hardware, software, and test, ensuring requirements are achieved and the system delivers mission value
• Lead critical reviews: Chair program gate reviews from SRR through TRR, assessing design maturity, readiness, and risk posture
• Shape system architecture: Direct the development and integration of architectures spanning payload, ground systems, and mission operations
• Guide execution: Oversee engineering performance to deliver on cost, schedule, and technical objectives, including subcontractor oversight
• Champion engineering excellence: Enforce standards, processes, and quality while advancing MBSE and Digital Engineering
• Manage risk & opportunity: Own the program Risk Register, proactively mitigating risks and capturing opportunities to improve performance
• Engage with stakeholders: Act as the primary technical interface with customer technical teams, subcontractors, and RLOS leadership
• Support growth: Contribute to proposals, technical volumes, and reviews, helping shape future opportunities
• Mentor the next generation: Provide leadership and guidance to engineers across disciplines, fostering collaboration, knowledge transfer, and technical excellence

Skills

Leadership

Technical guidance

Excellent communication

Senior stakeholder interface

Motivate teams without authority

Risk and schedule management

Travel willingness

ITAR/classified environments

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical discipline

Master’s degree or PhD (nice to have)

Job description

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ, seeks a Principal Engineer to lead the design, development, and integration of next-generation space-based electro-optical sensor systems. You will guide a multi-disciplinary team through requirements definition, integration, test, and sustainment to ensure mission success.

You will serve as the technical authority, shaping architecture across payload, ground systems, and mission operations, and collaborate with customers and subcontractors while