Spacecraft Operations Engineer I/II – Automation Focus

Rocket Lab Corp.; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top-tier medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

3 weeks paid vacation + 5 days sick

Stock purchase program

EV charging stations & onsite gym

Disounted employee perks

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Spacecraft Operations Engineer I/II to manage health, safety, and performance of a growing satellite fleet across commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations, and re-entry. You will collaborate with design, software, propulsion, and ground systems teams to ensure mission success.

The role offers a base salary in California from $82,000 to $118,000 USD, with comprehensive benefits and an emphasis on software-driven operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering.
• Experience in space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command control or operations.
• Understanding of spacecraft subsystems and components, including attitude, power, comms, OOC/DH, and thermal.
• Knowledge of space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics.
• Software development experience (Python, Ruby, C, C++, or similar).
• U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Operate spacecraft software and automate mission execution.
• Develop ground software for long-term space operations.
• Create flight software sequences and telemetry configurations.
• Maintain continuous integration and testing of operational code.
• Support on-call shifts and mission readiness.
• Develop interface specifications and CONOPS.
• Collaborate with AIT teams across multiple spacecraft tests.
• Validate requirements for subsystems and missions.
• Interface with Auckland, NZ; Littleton, CO; and Long Beach teams.

Skills

Space mission design

Satellite subsystems

Ground systems

Spacecraft command control

Spacecraft operations

Python

C++

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Git

CI/CD

Cloud infrastructure

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Spacecraft Operations Engineer I/II to manage health, safety, and performance of a growing satellite fleet across commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations, and re-entry. You will collaborate with design, software, propulsion, and ground systems teams to ensure mission success.

The role offers a base salary in California from $82,000 to $118,000 USD, with comprehensive benefits and an emphasis on software-driven operations.