Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I

Rocket Lab USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Medical, dental, vision plans

Paid time off + holidays (vacation & S

401(k) with company match

Subsidized EV charging

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I to ensure the health, safety, and performance of a growing satellite fleet from our Long Beach, CA headquarters. You will work across commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations, and potential re-entry phases, coordinating with design, AIT, and flight software teams.

The role emphasizes software-driven mission execution, CI/CD, and collaboration with global teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline).
• 5+ years of direct experience in space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command control or spacecraft operations.
• Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems including attitude control, electrical power, communications, data handling, and thermal control.
• Understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics.
• Software development experience (Python/Ruby/C/C++/other high-level languages).
• US citizenship is required due to program requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain US Security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Operate spacecraft using automation and software-driven processes to ensure mission success.
• Design, develop and test ground software for long-term space operations.
• Develop flight software sequences and telemetry configuration for health and fault management.
• Maintain continuous integration and testing of operational code.
• Support on-call or shift-based operations.
• Develop test methods and data analysis.
• Create interface specs, CONOPS, and design documents.
• Run validation against spacecraft simulation tools and AIT tests.
• Collaborate with Auckland, NZ and Long Beach, USA teams as technical interface.

Skills

Spacecraft operations

Software development

Orbital mechanics

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Git CI/CD

Python

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

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

At Rocket Lab, we're not just launching rockets - we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has 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 them get to space - our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions

SENIOR SPACECRAFT OPERATIONS ENGINEER I

Based on site at Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA theSeniorSpacecraft Operations Engineer I is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and optimal performance of a growing fleet ofsatellites while meeting mission objectives and SLAs for both commercial and government customers. This includes supporting diverse missions such as LEOconstellations, interplanetary exploration, LEO rendezvous, and SDA-relateddeployments. Your expertise would be critical during commissioning, orbit raising,routine operations, and potentially re-entry phases, ensuring the health and safety ofRocket Lab's expanding fleet.The Spacecraft Operations team works closely with related teams, such as spacecraftdesign, AIT, flight software, propulsion, GNC, flight dynamics and ground softwaredevelopment to help improve both the ground and satellite-based capabilities overtime.

The space operations experience at Rocket Lab is unique because you will cover a multitude of roles/positions and responsibilities, with the large majority of the technical products being supplied through the vertical integration/in-house.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Leverage automation as a key enabler to operate spacecraft, focusing on software-driven solutions for efficient and reliable mission execution


• Design, develop and test ground software for long term space operations: ground scripting for robust and automated ops


• Design, develop and test flight software sequences and FDIR/telemetry configuration to ensure spacecraft health and fault management through software-driven processes


• Maintain the continuous integration and testing of our operational code


• Ensure the on-call or shifts of operations


• Develop test methods and data analysis


• Develop interface specifications, CONOPS, and other design documents


• Run validation against spacecraft simulation tools: flatsat, HITL, etc.


• Support AIT teams across multiple spacecraft integrated tests (TVAC, propulsion stack, DITL)


• Perform requirements validation and verification for subsystems and spacecraft missions


• Generate and maintain requirements for spacecraft Missions including the creation and disposition


• Provide program and product support to team leads and program managers and be a key technical interface between the Auckland, NZ and Long Beach, USA engineering teams

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR SPACECRAFT OPERATIONS ENGINEER I:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)


• 5+ years of direct experience in any of the following: space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command control or spacecraft operations


• Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their associated components, including attitude determination and control, spacecraft electrical power systems, space-ground communications, on-orbit command and data handling, and thermal control


• Understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics


• Software development experience (Python/Ruby/C/C++/other high-level languages)


• US citizenship is required due to program requirements.


• Ability to obtain and maintain US Security clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Master's or PhD engineering in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)


• Prior experience in spacecraft operations


• Prior experience in satellite system design


• Prior experience in satellite ground systems


• Exposure to modern development practices - GIT, CI/CD, cloud infrastructure


• Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) Testing: Exposure to testing frameworks that simulate software behavior in operational environments


• Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Testing: Familiarity with testing frameworks that integrate software and hardware systems


• Active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance

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.

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay,you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$135,475 — $194,075 USD

Base Salary

$115,200 — $158,400 USD

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.

Important information:

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.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail] dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

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 do not 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.