Senior Spacecraft Operations Lead

Rocket Lab Corp.; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 173,000 - 339,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EV charging subsidy

Onsite fitness centers

Discounted gym memberships

Snacks and beverages

50% merch store discount

Employee discounts

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Principal Spacecraft Operations Engineer with Secret Clearance to lead mission operations for a growing satellite fleet. You will shape operational concepts, define automation, and collaborate across design, AIT, flight software, propulsion, GNC, and ground software teams to deliver reliable, scalable spacecraft operations.

Ideal candidates have extensive space mission operations experience, leadership in complex programs, and a strong background in

Qualifications

• 12+ years of direct experience in space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command control, or spacecraft operations.
• 5+ years of experience leading teams of engineers through spacecraft missions or related aerospace projects.
• Previous roles such as Mission Lead, Mission Director, Flight Director, or Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer.
• Active U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the program's mission operations technical lead: set the technical direction and strategy for operations, plan and prioritize the work of the mission operations staff, and act as the primary operations point of contact for program-level design decisions and trades.
• Define the automation strategy and lead the development of robust, software-driven methods for mission operations, testing, and data analysis to ensure efficient, repeatable, and reliable spacecraft operation.
• Design, develop, and test flight software sequences and FDIR/telemetry configurations to ensure spacecraft health and fault management through software-driven processes.
• Architect, develop, and test ground software for long-duration operations, including scripting and automation frameworks that make operations robust, hands-off, and scalable across a growing fleet.
• Author and own interface specifications, CONOPS, contingency procedures, and other operational design documents.
• Lead validation of flight products and procedures against spacecraft simulation tools, including flatsat, HITL, SIL, and digital twins.

Skills

Space mission design

Satellite subsystems

Ground systems

Spacecraft C&DH

FDIR knowledge

Python

Leadership

Education

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

Tools

Jira

CI/CD

Git

SIL/HIL testing

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Principal Spacecraft Operations Engineer with Secret Clearance to lead mission operations for a growing satellite fleet. You will shape operational concepts, define automation, and collaborate across design, AIT, flight software, propulsion, GNC, and ground software teams to deliver reliable, scalable spacecraft operations.

Ideal candidates have extensive space mission operations experience, leadership in complex programs, and a strong background in