Senior Space 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 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.