Lead Test & Launch Operations Engineer - Vehicle

Rocket Lab; Wallops Island (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company stock

Employee stock purchase program

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Wallops Island, Virginia, seeks a Lead Test & Launch Engineer – Vehicle to oversee end‑to‑end testing, launch, and mission operations for Electron and Neutron vehicles. You will lead teams, develop training, and serve as the technical authority during mission‑critical operations from Mission Control and the field.

You will manage operational projects, drive process improvements, and ensure readiness and capability across systems while aligning with future capabilities and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, chemical engineering or other technical field.
• 5–8+ years of engineering experience with propulsion systems or launch vehicles.
• Experience with propulsion, fluid/thermal systems, and high‑reliability aerospace programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of engineers responsible for vehicle mechanical, propulsion and fluid systems.
• Operate Mission Control consoles for test campaigns, rehearsals and launches.
• Develop CONOPS for vehicle systems and improve test plans and procedures.
• Create HMIs for monitoring and control of vehicle systems.
• Lead readiness reviews, training simulations and mission rehearsals.
• Perform real‑time data analysis to troubleshoot live operations.
• Coordinate cross‑discipline efforts to scale operations for higher cadence.

Skills

Leadership

Mission Control

Propulsion systems

Testing

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical

Job description

Lead Test & Launch Engineer – Vehicle

Based out of Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 3 in Wallops Island, VA, the Lead Test and Launch Operations Engineer is responsible for the end‑to‑end testing, launch, and mission operations of Electron and Neutron launch vehicles, including the configuration and operation of related facilities and infrastructure. As a senior operational leader, you will oversee teams of engineers, manage operational projects, and ensure the readiness and capability of your discipline area. You will develop training programs, conduct operational readiness reviews, and serve as the primary technical authority for your systems during mission‑critical operations. In this role, you will coordinate across disciplines to resolve complex issues, drive process improvements, and ensure operational procedures and infrastructure scale to support an increasing launch cadence. The Lead Test and Launch Operations Engineer balances time between Mission Control operations, team leadership, and strategic planning for future operational capabilities.

What You’ll Get to Do

• Lead and manage a team of Engineers responsible for vehicle mechanical systems, propulsion systems, and fluid systems for Electron and Neutron launch operations.
• Work in Mission Control as the console operator for vehicle systems during test campaigns, rehearsals, and launch.
• Develop and maintain Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for vehicle mechanical and propulsion systems.
• Create and continuously improve test plans, operational procedures, and checklists for vehicle operations.
• Design and implement Human‑Machine Interfaces (HMIs) for vehicle systems monitoring and control.
• Lead operational readiness reviews, training simulations, and mission rehearsals for vehicle operations.
• Perform real‑time troubleshooting and data analysis during live operations to resolve vehicle system anomalies.
• Conduct post‑test and post‑launch data analysis to identify trends, anomalies, and improvement opportunities.
• Develop comprehensive training programs and qualification matrices to ensure operators are prepared for console positions.
• Lead structured root‑cause analysis and corrective action programs for vehicle anomalies.
• Drive the development of Neutron vehicle operations procedures and testing campaigns.
• Lead Engineers are highly experienced operators who have demonstrated mastery across multiple systems and operational scenarios.
• Responsible for leading teams of engineers, managing operational projects, and ensuring the overall readiness and capability of their discipline area.
• Develop training programs, conduct operational readiness reviews, and serve as the primary technical authority for their systems during mission‑critical operations.

You'll Bring These Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, chemical engineering, or other technical degree.
• 5–8+ years of engineering experience with propulsion systems, aviation, launch vehicles, or spacecraft.
• Aviation/aircrew may be considered an alternative to this.
• Demonstrated proficiency with rocket propulsion systems and fluid/thermal systems.
• Experience with high‑reliability aerospace systems design, test, or operations.
• Experience with vehicle tanking, propellant handling, and pressurized fluid systems.
• Demonstrated leadership competencies, especially change management, conflict resolution, knowing when to elevate/ request help, and effectively managing a team.
• Understanding of hazardous operations and safety protocols for propulsion systems.
• Experience developing operational procedures, test plans, and conducting mission simulations.

These Qualifications Would Be Nice to Have

• Experience working in Mission Control or similar operational control environments.
• Aviation/Aircrew/Flight Test may be considered an alternative.
• Experience with launch vehicle operations including integration, testing, launch, or mission operations.
• Experience with integrated stage thermal/fluid systems design/test/operations, and/or experience in a propulsion test/operations environment.
• Experience with spacecraft or crew‑rated vehicle systems.
• Track record of leading teams.
• Experience leading hot‑fire testing programs or static test campaigns.
• Solid understanding of cryogenic systems and high‑pressure gas systems.
• Experience developing HMIs for operational monitoring and control systems.

Additional Requirements

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Salary and Benefits

Base pay range (VA Only): $110,000 USD – $140,000 USD. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. Base salary is only one part of Rocket Lab’s compensation package for this role. You may be eligible for company stock, or cash incentives, and can purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab’s Employee Stock Purchase Program. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

Important Information

For Candidates Seeking to Work in US Offices Only: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or be lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

For Candidates Seeking to Work in New Zealand Offices Only: For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.