SPACE SYSTEMS

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team is responsible for every satellite and satellite component made by Rocket Lab: from complete satellites destined for missions to the Moon and Mars, to the individual components and subsystems that make up a satellite like solar panels, flight software, reaction wheels and star trackers, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems 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. 

SENIOR SPACECRAFT OPERATIONS ENGINEER I - TS/SCI CLEARANCE

Based on site at Rocket Lab’s global office in Littleton, CO the Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I is responsible for the operations development and on-orbit operations of Rocket Lab’s Photon satellites. In the Senior role, you will play a variety of roles including development of Concepts of Operations for new missions, build and test flight scripts on test assets, and execute on-orbit operations on console in Rocket Lab Mission Control Center. You will support the Spacecraft Operations Manager and provide guidance and mentorship to the Spacecraft Operations team who are responsible for maintaining the health and safety of Rocket Lab’s growing fleet of spacecraft and ensuring that mission objectives and SLAs are met. The Spacecraft Operations team also works closely with related teams, such as the spacecraft design, AIT, GNC, flight software, etc., to help improve both the ground and satellite-based capabilities over time.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Works with the launch operations team, spacecraft subsystem and systems engineers, flight software, program management, and ground support to build outcomes and products that support the whole team.
• Support rigorous/challenging schedules during spacecraft ground-based testing, launch windows, and on-orbit operations.
• Strong communication skills and constructive participation in forward planning and incident response.
• Inform the design of ground control software to optimize situational awareness and streamline spacecraft command and control.
• Develop, review and approve Mission Operations deliverables including procedures, robot test results, CONOPS.
• Provide feedback, mentorship, and support for other team members.
• Communicates frequently and effectively with stakeholders across disciplines, highlighting success and learning from failures.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR SPACECRAFT OPERATIONS ENGINEER:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, Systems, Software engineering or other engineering degree
• Active TS/SCI clearance
• 8+ years of direct experience in any of the following: space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, or spacecraft operations
• Prior experience in spacecraft operations and satellite command and control
• CI/CD pipeline familiarity, version control and cloud infrastructure
• Adept with Linux systems and software development experience with Python, C++ languages

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with building Fault Detection, Implementation and Recovery (FDIR) scripting and testing
• Experience with software testing/validation on assets like Flatsat or Hardware-In-The-Loop (HITL) rigs, and robot testing
• Low Earth Orbit or interplanetary mission program experience
• Exposure to ground station operations and providers, across one-off and constellation missions

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings 
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise