Senior Systems Engineer, Space Payloads & Electrical

Rocket Lab; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson seeks a Senior Systems Engineer I to drive electrical architecture and controls for advanced space payloads. You will work across hardware, software, and firmware to ensure architecture aligns with mission requirements and verification plans.

The role involves defining system requirements, developing interface definitions, and supporting integration and testing of space payloads for DoD and intelligence customers. A clearance or eligibility may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering or other technical discipline.
• 5+ years engineering experience, including 3+ years on development programs and 2+ years in technical leadership.
• Experience with electrical architecture, subsystem integration, and controls-focused development.

Responsibilities

• Define and develop system architecture for space-based optical instruments and payloads.
• Manage system requirements, interfaces, and verification approaches.
• Develop and maintain architecture descriptions, interface control documents, and test plans.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, firmware, and test teams to align implementation with requirements.
• Support integration and testing of space payloads on spacecraft platforms.
• Lead system-level test planning, debugging, and data analysis.
• Participate in hardware and software verification and validation activities.
• Assist with architecture trades involving sensors, power, and control systems.
• Attend technical meetings with internal teams and customers as needed.

Skills

Electrical architecture

Subsystem integration

Controls development

Requirement management

Avionics integration

System documentation

JAMA/DOORS/Cameo

Hardware-software coordination

Electric interfaces

Signal timing/synchronization

Education

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

Tools

JAMA

DOORS

Cameo

Job description

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson seeks a Senior Systems Engineer I to drive electrical architecture and controls for advanced space payloads. You will work across hardware, software, and firmware to ensure architecture aligns with mission requirements and verification plans.

The role involves defining system requirements, developing interface definitions, and supporting integration and testing of space payloads for DoD and intelligence customers. A clearance or eligibility may be required.