Spacecraft Ops Engineer II: Drive Satellite Missions

Rocket Lab USA; Littleton (CO); On-site; USD 82,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vision insurance

Parental leave

Sick time

401(k)

Retirement plan

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA provides a dynamic environment at its Littleton, CO site for a Spacecraft Operations Engineer II/Senior I to oversee a growing satellite fleet. You will participate in commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations and re-entry across varied missions for commercial and government customers.

Collaborating with cross-functional teams in spacecraft design, software, propulsion, and ground systems, you will enhance satellite and ground capabilities while maintaining safety and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• 2+ years in space mission design, satellite subsystems, or spacecraft operations.
• Understanding of spacecraft subsystems and components (AOCS, power, comms, OBC, thermal).
• Knowledge of space environment and orbital mechanics.
• Software development experience (Python, Ruby, C/C++ or similar).
• US citizenship required for program eligibility.
• Ability to obtain and maintain US security clearance.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Leverage automation to operate spacecraft with software-driven solutions.
• Design, develop and test ground software for long-term space operations.
• Design, develop and test flight software sequences and telemetry configurations.
• Maintain continuous integration and testing of operational code.
• Ensure on-call shifts of operations.
• Develop test methods and data analysis.
• Develop interface specifications and CONOPS documentation.
• Support AIT across multiple spacecraft tests (TVAC, propulsion, DITL).
• Perform requirements validation and verification for subsystems and missions.
• Generate and maintain mission requirements and dispositions.
• Provide program and product support and coordinate with global engineering teams.

Skills

Software development

Spacecraft operations

Programming: Python/C/C++

AOCS knowledge

Space environment & orbital mechanics

US citizenship

Security clearance eligibility

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's or PhD in engineering (nice to have)

Tools

Git

CI/CD

Cloud infrastructure

Job description

Rocket Lab USA provides a dynamic environment at its Littleton, CO site for a Spacecraft Operations Engineer II/Senior I to oversee a growing satellite fleet. You will participate in commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations and re-entry across varied missions for commercial and government customers.

Collaborating with cross-functional teams in spacecraft design, software, propulsion, and ground systems, you will enhance satellite and ground capabilities while maintaining safety and