Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I to manage the health, safety, and performance of a growing fleet of satellites to meet mission objectives for commercial and government customers. The role involves supporting various mission phases, including commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations, and re-entry, across diverse mission types such as satellite constellations, interplanetary exploration, and orbital rendezvous.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
• 5+ years of direct experience in any of the following: space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command control or spacecraft operations
• Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their associated components, including attitude determination and control, spacecraft electrical power systems, space-ground communications, on-orbit command and data handling, and thermal control
• Understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
• Software development experience (Python/Ruby/C/C++/other high-level languages)

Benefits

• 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