Spacecraft Operations Engineer I/II

InvestedintheMission; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company equity and robust benefits

Top-tier medical and HSA plan

3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick

11 paid holidays and 401(k) match

Onsite gym and subsidized amenities

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Spacecraft Operations Engineer I/II to manage the health, safety, and performance of a growing satellite fleet across commissioning, orbit raising, and routine operations.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance satellite and ground capabilities, supporting commercial and government missions with software-driven solutions and automated operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• Experience in space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, or spacecraft operations.
• Understanding of attitude determination and control, power systems, comms, and thermal control.
• Software development experience in Python/Ruby/C/C++ or other high-level languages.

Responsibilities

• Leverage automation to operate spacecraft with software-driven solutions for reliable mission execution.
• Design, develop and test ground software for long-term space operations—ground scripting for robust ops.
• Design, develop and test flight software sequences and FDIR/telemetry configuration for spacecraft health and fault management.
• Maintain continuous integration and testing of operational code.
• Ensure on-call or shift operations.
• Develop test methods and data analysis.
• Develop interface specifications, CONOPS, and other design documents.
• Run validation against spacecraft simulation tools (flatsat, HITL).
• Support AIT teams across spacecraft tests (TVAC, propulsion, DITL).
• Perform requirements validation and verification for subsystems and missions.
• Generate and maintain requirements for missions, including creation and disposition.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Space mission design

Ground systems

Telemetry/configuration

On-orbit operations

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Git

CI/CD

HIL testing

SIL testing

Job description

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations. Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds an extensive line of satellites, payloads, and components, including spacecraft chosen to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Spacecraft Operations Engineer I/II

Based at our Long Beach, CA site, the Spacecraft Operations Engineer I/II is responsible for managing the health, safety, and performance of a growing fleet of satellites to meet mission objectives for commercial and government customers. This role supports various mission phases—including commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations, and re‑entry—across diverse mission types such as satellite constellations, interplanetary exploration, and orbital rendezvous. The position requires close collaboration with cross‑functional teams, including spacecraft design, software, propulsion, and ground systems, to enhance satellite and ground‑based capabilities. The space operations experience at Rocket Lab is unique because you will cover a multitude of roles and responsibilities, with the majority of the technical products being supplied through vertical integration/in‑house. (Please note: this position can be hired at the Engineer I or Engineer II level)

Responsibilities

• 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 on‑call or shift 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 creation and disposition
• Provide program and product support to team leads and program managers and be a key technical interface between the Auckland, NZ, Littleton, CO, and Long Beach, CA engineering teams

Qualifications for Spacecraft Operations Engineer I

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
• 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)
• U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements

Qualifications for Spacecraft Operations Engineer II

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
• 2+ 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)
• U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements

Nice to Have Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in an engineering discipline (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical)
• 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: familiarity with 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
• TS/SCI clearance

Benefits

• Base salary – $82,000—$118,000 USD (CA only)
• Company equity and a robust benefits package, including: top‑tier medical HMO, PPO and 100% company‑sponsored HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Other perks: Discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts

Physical Requirements

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.

Eligibility Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab employees must be U.S. citizens, lawful U.S. permanent residents, or meet other eligibility criteria. For U.S. offices, only U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents are eligible for this role. For New Zealand offices, applicants must hold eligible citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO country, or meet other ITAR requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.