Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I

Job Description

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I to join their Space Systems team in Long Beach, CA. This role involves the operations development and on-orbit operations of Rocket Lab’s Photon satellites. The engineer will support the Spacecraft Operations Lead and team in maintaining the health and safety of the spacecraft fleet and ensuring mission objectives are met. Rocket Lab's Space Systems team is responsible for every satellite and satellite component made by Rocket Lab. The team is made up of engineers, technicians, and designers who design, create, and put together our own satellites for missions across the commercial, government, and defense sectors, or who build and assemble satellite hardware and software that supports other satellite missions.Responsibilities:

• Works with the launch operations team, spacecraft subsystem and systems engineers, flight software, and ground support to build outcomes and products that support the whole team.
• Communicates frequently and effectively, highlighting success and learning from failures.
• Supports rigorous/challenging schedules during spacecraft ground-based testing, launch windows, and on-orbit operations.
• Develops automated processes to operate spacecraft.
• Participates constructively in forward planning and incident response.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, Systems, Software engineering or other engineering degree
• 5+ years of experience in space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, or spacecraft operations
• Exposure to modern development practices such as git, CI/CD, and cloud infrastructure
• Familiarity with Linux systems and software development experience, such as Python, Ruby, C, C++, or other high-level languages

The role offers:

• Company equity
• Top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage
• 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year
• Flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, childcare concierge, and other discounts