Senior Space Systems Engineer - Optical Payloads

Rocket Lab; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ seeks a Senior Systems Engineer I to shape the electrical architecture and controls for space payloads across airborne and space platforms. You’ll drive system-level design, interface definitions, and verification planning to ensure mission readiness.

You’ll collaborate with hardware, software, firmware, and test teams, develop requirements, and support verification activities for SDA Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture missions.

Qualifications

• Experience developing system requirements and verification approaches.
• Strong electrical engineering background in aerospace payloads.
• Familiarity with command and telemetry interfaces.
• Experience with hardware, software, and firmware development lifecycle.
• Knowledge of aerospace standards and mission assurance practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop system architecture for space-based optical instruments and payloads.
• Define and decompose system requirements and interface definitions.
• Create and maintain architecture descriptions and test artifacts.
• Develop electrical and functional architectures including power distribution and telemetry flow.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, firmware, and test teams.
• Support integration and testing of space payloads on spacecraft platforms.
• Lead test planning, debugging, and verification activities.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks related to electrical architecture.

Skills

Electrical architecture

Subsystem integration

Controls development

Avionics

Requirements management

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering

Tools

JAMA

DOORS

Cameo

Job description

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ seeks a Senior Systems Engineer I to shape the electrical architecture and controls for space payloads across airborne and space platforms. You’ll drive system-level design, interface definitions, and verification planning to ensure mission readiness.

You’ll collaborate with hardware, software, firmware, and test teams, develop requirements, and support verification activities for SDA Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture missions.