Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer—Automated Space Missions

Telemetry Today LLC; Long Beach, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock purchase program

Competitive health plans

Paid vacation and holidays

401(k) with company match

Employee discounts

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I to ensure health, safety and optimal performance of a growing satellite fleet from Long Beach, CA. You’ll support commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations and re‑entry phases across diverse missions.

The role requires a solid engineering degree, 5+ years in space systems, and strong Python/C/C++ skills with the ability to obtain US security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or related).
• 5+ years in space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, or spacecraft operations.
• Strong knowledge of spacecraft subsystems and power, comms, and attitude control.
• Proficiency in Python, C/C++, and exposure to high‑level languages; ability to obtain US clearance.

Responsibilities

• Ensure health, safety and performance of a growing satellite fleet across missions.
• Support commissioning, orbit raising, routine ops, and potential re-entry phases.
• Collaborate with design, AIT, flight software, propulsion, GNC and ground software teams.
• Provide program interfaces between multiple international engineering teams.

Skills

Python

C++

C

Ruby

GIT

CI/CD

Software development

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Cloud infrastructure

Ground software

Test frameworks

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I to ensure health, safety and optimal performance of a growing satellite fleet from Long Beach, CA. You’ll support commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations and re‑entry phases across diverse missions.

The role requires a solid engineering degree, 5+ years in space systems, and strong Python/C/C++ skills with the ability to obtain US security clearance.