Full-Time

Principal Engineer

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Rocket Lab USA

Rocket Lab USA

1,001-5,000 employees

Provides launch services and spacecraft solutions

Robotics & Automation
Aerospace
Defense

Compensation Overview

$150k - $220kAnnually

Senior, Expert

No H1B Sponsorship

Long Beach, CA, USA

Candidates must be U.S. citizens, lawful U.S. permanent residents, or eligible for required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Commerce.

US Citizenship Required

Category
Embedded Engineering
Software Engineering
Required Skills
Product Management
Data Analysis

You match the following Rocket Lab USA's candidate preferences

Employers are more likely to interview you if you match these preferences:

Degree
Experience
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline
  • 12+ years of experience supporting satellite or spacecraft programs
  • Understanding of spacecraft subsystems and their associated components
  • Thorough understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
  • Experience with satellite operations
Responsibilities
  • Provide oversight and review of spacecraft system engineering, including: Requirement derivation, System and subsystem requirement verification techniques, Vehicle performance budgets, Test methods and data analysis
  • Simulation and analysis
  • Technical leadership in future architectures, platform, and payloads for future missions both internal and external
  • Assist or lead system and subsystem architectural developments for existing missions
  • Assist with program and product management
Desired Qualifications
  • Master’s or PhD in an engineering or other technical discipline
  • Active TS/SCI clearance
  • Experience with MATLAB, Python, and STK
  • Experience with testing electrical subsystems and assemblies, thermal vacuum or random vibration, and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing
  • Ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing priorities

Rocket Lab provides comprehensive space solutions, including launch services, spacecraft components, and satellite management. Their main products are the Electron launch vehicle, which is designed for small satellite launches, and the Photon satellite platform, which supports various missions, including those for NASA. The Electron rocket has gained popularity, becoming the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket since its debut in 2018, successfully delivering over 100 satellites into orbit for various sectors. Rocket Lab differentiates itself from competitors by offering a streamlined approach to accessing space, with multiple launch sites and a focus on affordability and reliability. The company's goal is to make space more accessible and to support a wide range of missions, from national security to scientific exploration.

Company Stage

IPO

Total Funding

$713.3M

Headquarters

Long Beach, California

Founded

2006

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

-1%
Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Growing demand for small satellite launches boosts Rocket Lab's market position.
  • Neutron rocket development aligns with advancements in reusable rocket technology.
  • U.S. government investment in space defense benefits Rocket Lab's contracts.

What critics are saying

  • Competition from SpaceX as Rocket Lab develops the Neutron rocket.
  • Potential delays in Virginia launch site operational status affecting schedules.
  • Reliance on New Zealand launch site poses geopolitical and natural disruption risks.

What makes Rocket Lab USA unique

  • Rocket Lab's Electron is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually.
  • Photon spacecraft supports NASA missions to the Moon, Mars, and private Venus missions.
  • Rocket Lab operates a private orbital launch site in New Zealand.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Paid Parental Leave

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Flexible Spending Account

Company Equity

Wellness Program

Phone/Internet Stipend

Childcare Support

Gym Membership

Employee Discounts

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Professional Development Budget

Conference Attendance Budget

Flexible Work Hours

Hybrid Work Options