Spacecraft Operations Engineer I/II

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

Benefits offered by this job

Top tier medical coverage

Dental and vision coverage

3 weeks paid vacation

401(k) retirement plan with company match

Job summary

Rocketlab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Spacecraft Operations Engineer I/II. This role will manage the health and safety of satellites while supporting diverse mission phases such as commissioning and routine operations.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in engineering and experience with space missions, and must collaborate with cross-functional teams for successful mission execution.

Qualifications

• Experience in space mission design or spacecraft operations.
• Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their components.
• U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage health, safety, and performance of satellites.
• Support various mission phases like commissioning and operations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for mission success.

Skills

Space mission design

Satellite subsystems

Ground systems

Spacecraft command control

Software development (Python/Ruby/C/C++)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Software-in-the-Loop Testing

Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing

Job description

SPACECRAFT OPERATIONS ENGINEER I/II

Based on site 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 involves supporting 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.

(Please note: this position can be hired at the Engineer I or Engineer II level)

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• 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 the on‑call or shifts of 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 the 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 USA engineering teams

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A 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

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A 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

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Master’s or PhD engineering in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
• 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: Exposure to 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

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION

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.

COMBINATION SALARY AND BENEFITS

Base Pay Range (CA Only): $82,000 — $118,000 USD

Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Employees may also receive company equity and have access to a robust benefits package including:

• Top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company‑sponsored medical 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
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Discounted employee stock purchase program
• Subsidized EV charging stations
• On‑site gym, food and drinks, and other discounts

EDUCATION, TRAINING & EEO

Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role. Benefit programs are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

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.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

US GOVERNMENT EXPORT REGULATIONS NOTICE

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT EXPORT REGULATIONS NOTICE

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.