Principal Engineer, Space Payloads - Secret/Top Secret Clearance

Rocket Lab USA

Tucson, Arizona

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JOB DETAILS

JOB TYPE

Full-time

SKILLS

Aerospace and Defense, Climate Change, Communication Skills, Concept of Operations (CONOPS), Cross-Functional, Customer Relations, Enterprise Architecture, Government, IR (Infrared), Integrated Circuits (ICs), Integration Testing, Intelligence Community, Knowledge Transfer, Leadership, Machine Learning, Manufacturing, Performance Analysis, Performance Modeling, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Product Demonstration, Product/Service Launch, Regulations, Requirements Management, Risk, Risk Management, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), Service Delivery, Software Testing, Solar Power, Strategic Planning, Surveillance, System Architecture, System Readiness Review (SRR), Systems Engineering, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Technical Presentation, Technical Support, Test Readiness Review (TRR), Test Requirements, Time Management, Top Secret Clearance, United States Citizen, United States Department of Defense (DoD), Wheel/Front-End Loader, Willing to Travel

LOCATION

Tucson, Arizona

POSTED

1 day ago

Principal Engineer, Space Payloads - Secret/Top Secret ClearanceTucson, AZRocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.Rocket Lab's Optical Systems (RLOS) division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) 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, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.As a Principal Engineer based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will lead the design, development, and integration of next-generation space-based electro-optical sensor systems. As the definitive technical authority, you'll guide a multi-disciplinary team through all phases of development – from requirements definition to integration, test, and sustainment – ensuring mission success while advancing innovation. This role offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on national security by delivering advanced space capabilities to our customers. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!What You'll Get To Do:Own the technical baseline for programs: Serve as the technical authority across systems engineering, hardware, software, and test, ensuring requirements are achieved and the system delivers mission valueLead critical reviews: Chair program gate reviews from SRR through TRR, assessing design maturity, readiness, and risk postureShape system architecture: Direct the development and integration of architectures spanning payload, ground systems, and mission operationsGuide execution: Oversee engineering performance to deliver on cost, schedule, and technical objectives, including subcontractor oversightChampion engineering excellence: Enforce standards, processes, and quality while advancing Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Digital EngineeringManage risk & opportunity: Own the program Risk Register, proactively mitigating risks and capturing opportunities to improve performanceEngage with stakeholders: Act as the primary technical interface with customer technical teams, subcontractors, and RLOS leadershipSupport growth: Contribute to proposals, technical volumes, and reviews, helping shape future opportunitiesMentor the next generation: Provide leadership and guidance to engineers across disciplines, fostering collaboration, knowledge transfer, and technical excellenceYou'll Bring These Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline with 12+ years of professional experienceActive Secret/Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility8+ years of experience leading engineering teams or organizations across multiple domainsProven ability to deliver complex aerospace or defense systems on cost, on schedule, and to performance requirementsPrior experience as a chief engineer or technical authority on a program of record or major defense contractExperience leading large-scale proposals, including technical volumes and customer-facing reviewsStrong record of interfacing with senior government customers and building trusted technical relationshipsAbility to motivate and guide teams without direct line authority, achieving alignment across diverse organizations and subcontractors.Willingness to travel up to 25%Comfort working in classified environments with sensitive program informationAbility to work in classified environments 25%+ of the timeThese Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have:Master's degree or PhD in a technical disciplineRecent experience supporting space missions, with an emphasis on payload integrationFive+ years working with EO/IR, radar, or hyperspectral sensor technologies, including performance modeling and exploitationFive+ years developing command & control, mission planning, or tactical ground systems for space assetsExperience with CONOPS development and enterprise-scale architecture(s)Knowledge of advanced data exploitation, machine learning, and Automatic Target Recognition (ATR)Experience integrating multi-disciplinary engineering efforts across suppliers and subcontractorsLeadership in the design, production, and integration of large-scale defense or aerospace systemsHands-on experience applying Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodsTrack record of achieving technical, cost, and schedule commitments as a chief engineer or technical leadExcellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical solutions to executives, customers, and non-technical audiencesAbility to build consensus across diverse stakeholders and make sound decisions under uncertaintyThis 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:We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's 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 other's 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 g.biow@rocketlabusa.com. 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.

Principal Engineer, Space Payloads - Secret/Top Secret Clearance

Rocket Lab USA

Tucson, Arizona

About the Company

Rocket Lab USA

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