Senior Software Systems Engineer II

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets spacecraft and critical subsystems that keep the world connected protected expand humanitys reach to the Moon Mars and beyond. We move fast build real hardware for meaningful missions and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

Rocket Labs Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels flight software star trackers optical systems separation systems and radios.

The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have built spacecraft payloads and components for missions to the Moon and Mars working with partners including NASA the Space Development Agency and the U.S. Space Force. Whether its a single high-performance spacecraft constellation or the vertically integrated components that help get to space our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEER II

Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space terrestrial and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As aSenior Software Systems Engineer II based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson AZ you will have the opportunity to design develop and test space-based electro-optical sensors. Systems engineers are responsible for the development and maintenance of technical budgets requirements definition test planning and execution and overall management of the systems engineering process. They also work hands-on with flight software and drive the technical development of our Space Systems missions.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Support the design integration and development of software for space-based optical instruments subsystems and payloads for airborne and space platforms
• Understand and interpret overall system architecture deriving and allocating software and firmware requirements to ensure consistency across interfaces and subsystems
• Understand the software/firmware development pipeline and SW/FW development process from requirements through build integration test and release
• Develop and maintain:
• Technical budgets for vehicle performance
• Software System requirements and verification techniques
• Simulations and analysis across vehicle functions
• Test methods and data analysis
• Provide technical oversight of system software architecture interfaces mission assurance and compliance
• Assist with program and product management
• Develop in collaboration with team members interface specifications CONOPS definition and other design documents
• Support the development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms
• Plan and define software verification and validation (V&V) activities including verification methods test strategy and success criteria to confirm alignment with program and customer requirements
• Identify assess and mitigate technical risks across the software and firmware development lifecycle
• Execute software verification test campaigns on the flatsat development unit or flight unit including test setup dry runs and formal verification runs
• Verify the correct software build and configuration are under test confirming the as-tested configuration matches the intended verification
• Support authoring derivation and verification of software and firmware requirements and maintain requirements traceability throughout the development lifecycle addressing conflicts or gaps
• Participate in technical interchange meetings (TIMs) and represent the organization in project discussions with internal stakeholders and external partners
• Mentor other engineers on systems engineering requirements and verification and validation (V&V) methodologies
• Ability to support travel or off-site work as needed

QUALIFICATIONS YOULL BRING AS SENIOR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEER II:

• Bachelors degree in engineering (systems software computer electrical aerospace mechanical or other technical engineering discipline)
• Active Clearance
• 8 years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry; with 3 years directly supporting development projects and 2 years in project or team leadership
• CAM and/or IPTL experience
• A strong knowledge of how to interpret organizational software and hardware technical documents
• Demonstrable experience in systems engineering with a strong focus on developing testing and integrating with space or airborne instruments
• Experience with requirements management workflow and modeling tools such as JAMA DOORS JIRA or Cameo
• Experience supporting development programs
• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards regulations and practices
• U.S citizenship is required due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Masters or PhD in engineering (software or computer engineering)
• EO/IR payload integration experience
• Proficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo MATLAB Simulink or equivalent
• Experience with the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) from requirements development through systems operations and maintenance
• Knowledge of software interfaces and communications protocols
• Hands-on expertise leading troubleshooting and resolution of system-level issues
• Demonstrated experience working with minimal supervision in complex projects
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and explain complex implementation processes to other organization members

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.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats not an easy task. It takes hard work determination relentless innovation teamwork grit and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each others backs checking our egos at the door and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure work to tight deadlines and our focus is always on how we can deliver rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

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 lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder) or 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 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 do not 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.