Spacecraft Operations Lead — Mission-Critical Satellite Ops

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 173,000 - 231,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top-tier medical

401(k) with match

Onsite gym

Paid time off

Employee stock purchase

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer II or Principal for its Long Beach, CA operations. You will lead mission operations, coordinate across spacecraft teams, and drive automation and software-driven processes to ensure safe, efficient operations of a growing satellite fleet.

The role requires US citizenship, active security clearance, and deep experience in space mission design, spacecraft subsystems, and ground systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
• 8+ years in space mission design, subsystems, ground systems, or spacecraft operations.
• 3+ years leading teams on spacecraft missions or aerospace projects.
• Experience in mission operations roles and on-console/operator-in-the-loop.
• Knowledge of ADCS, EPS, comms, C&DH, thermal, propulsion, FDIR

Responsibilities

• Serve as mission operations technical lead and set direction for operations.
• Influence spacecraft/ground architecture for operability and safe, autonomous operations.
• Own mission ops requirements and validate system capabilities.
• Define automation strategies and develop software-driven operations methods.
• Design/test flight software sequences and telemetry configurations.

Skills

Spacecraft operations

Python

C/C++

Leadership

Security clearance

US Citizenship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Git

CI/CD

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer II or Principal for its Long Beach, CA operations. You will lead mission operations, coordinate across spacecraft teams, and drive automation and software-driven processes to ensure safe, efficient operations of a growing satellite fleet.

The role requires US citizenship, active security clearance, and deep experience in space mission design, spacecraft subsystems, and ground systems.