Spacecraft Operations Engineer II — Satellite Ops & Automation

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Spacecraft Operations Engineer II to ensure health and optimal performance of a growing satellite fleet. You will support commissioning, orbit raising, routine ops, and potential re-entry phases, collaborating with design, AIT, flight software, propulsion, GNC, and ground software teams.

The role requires a BS in engineering and 2+ years in space systems or operations, with programming in Python/Ruby/C/C++. US security clearance is required or obtainable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field.
• 2+ years in space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command and control or spacecraft operations.
• Understanding of spacecraft subsystems (attitude, power, comms, OBDH, thermal) and space environment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain US security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Leverage automation to operate spacecraft and enable 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.
• Maintain continuous integration and testing of operational code.
• Support on-call or shift operations.
• Develop test methods and data analysis.
• Create interface specifications and CONOPS documents.
• Support AIT teams across spacecraft integration tests (TVAC, propulsion stack, DITL).
• Perform requirements validation and verification for subsystems and missions.
• Generate and maintain requirements for spacecraft missions and dispositions.
• Provide program support and liaise between Auckland, NZ and Long Beach engineering teams.

Skills

Python

Ruby

C++

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Spacecraft Operations Engineer II to ensure health and optimal performance of a growing satellite fleet. You will support commissioning, orbit raising, routine ops, and potential re-entry phases, collaborating with design, AIT, flight software, propulsion, GNC, and ground software teams.

The role requires a BS in engineering and 2+ years in space systems or operations, with programming in Python/Ruby/C/C++. US security clearance is required or obtainable.