Senior Systems Engineer – Space Optics & ISR

Rocket Lab Corporation; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer I/II with active clearance to design, test, and integrate space-based electro‑optical sensors at our Tucson site. You’ll manage budgets, requirements, and verification across space and airborne instruments, collaborating with cross‑functional teams on mission‑critical payloads and hardware development.

The role offers opportunities to lead and mentor, with travel as needed, and requires U.S. citizenship for program compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (systems, software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical) required.
• Active Clearance required.
• 5+ years in aerospace engineering; 2+ years supporting development projects; 1+ year in leadership.
• Experience interpreting organizational, software, and hardware technical documents.
• Experience developing, testing, and integrating space or airborne instruments.
• Experience with requirements management and modeling tools such as JAMA, Doors, or Cameo.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design, integrate, and develop space-based optical instruments and payloads for airborne and space platforms.
• Develop and maintain budgets, system requirements, verification techniques, and simulations.
• Provide technical oversight of system architecture, interfaces, mission assurance, and compliance.
• Assist with program and product management.
• Develop interface specifications and CONOPS with team members.
• Support development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms.
• Travel or off-site work as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Active Clearance

Systems Engineering

Requirements management

Space/Aerospace experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s or PhD in engineering (nice‑to‑have)

Tools

JAMA

Doors

Cameo

Job description

Rocket Lab Corporation is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer I/II with active clearance to design, test, and integrate space-based electro‑optical sensors at our Tucson site. You’ll manage budgets, requirements, and verification across space and airborne instruments, collaborating with cross‑functional teams on mission‑critical payloads and hardware development.

The role offers opportunities to lead and mentor, with travel as needed, and requires U.S. citizenship for program compliance.