Spacecraft Operations Engineer II: Automate & Optimize Missions

Rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Spacecraft Operations Engineer II to ensure health, safety, and optimal performance of a growing satellite fleet while meeting mission objectives and SLAs for customers.

The role covers commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations, and potentially re-entry phases, collaborating with ground and spacecraft teams to improve both ground and satellite-based capabilities over time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline).
• 2+ years of direct experience in space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command control or spacecraft operations.
• Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems including attitude determination and control, 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).
• Ability to obtain and maintain US security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Leverage automation to operate spacecraft and enable reliable mission execution.
• Design, develop and test ground software for long-term space operations.
• Design, develop and test flight software sequences and telemetry configuration for health and fault management.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Space systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Spacecraft Operations Engineer II to ensure health, safety, and optimal performance of a growing satellite fleet while meeting mission objectives and SLAs for customers.

The role covers commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations, and potentially re-entry phases, collaborating with ground and spacecraft teams to improve both ground and satellite-based capabilities over time.