Spacecraft Operations Engineer I - Automate Space Missions

Rocket Lab USA; Littleton (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I to manage a growing fleet of satellites for commercial and government missions. You will collaborate with design, software, propulsion, and ground systems teams to optimize commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations, and re-entry for diverse mission types.

The role emphasizes software-driven processes, on-call responsibilities, and close interface with Auckland, Littleton, and Long Beach engineering teams

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years in space mission design, satellite subsystems, or spacecraft operations.
• Understanding of attitude control, power, comms, and thermal systems.
• Ability to obtain and maintain US security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Leverage automation to operate spacecraft, focusing on software-driven mission execution.
• Design, develop and test ground software for long-term space operations.
• Develop flight software sequences and telemetry configurations for health and fault management.
• Maintain continuous integration and testing of operational code.
• Participate in on-call shifts to support operations.
• Develop test methods and data analysis.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Spacecraft ops

Ground systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Git

CI/CD

Cloud infrastructure

Job description

Rocket Lab USA in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I to manage a growing fleet of satellites for commercial and government missions. You will collaborate with design, software, propulsion, and ground systems teams to optimize commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations, and re-entry for diverse mission types.

The role emphasizes software-driven processes, on-call responsibilities, and close interface with Auckland, Littleton, and Long Beach engineering teams