Skip to main content

Rocket Lab Corporation

Spacecraft Operations Engineer II - Secret Clearance Preferred

Long Beach, CAFrom $147.4kmidAdded today

About this role

Rocket Lab seeks a Spacecraft Operations Engineer II to manage the health and performance of their growing satellite fleet across diverse missions including LEO constellations and interplanetary exploration. You'll develop ground and flight software, design automation solutions, and collaborate across engineering teams to ensure reliable mission execution from commissioning through operations.

What you'll do

  • Design and develop ground software for spacecraft operations, including automation scripts and command sequences
  • Create and maintain flight software configurations for fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) and telemetry management
  • Validate spacecraft systems through simulation tools (flatsat, HITL) and integrated tests (TVAC, propulsion, DITL)
  • Support commissioning, orbit raising, routine operations, and re-entry phases for satellite missions
  • Generate mission requirements, interface specifications, and operational concepts (CONOPS) documentation
  • Maintain continuous integration and testing of operational code while providing on-call operations support

What they're looking for

  • Software development (Python, Ruby, C, C++, or similar languages)
  • Spacecraft subsystems knowledge (ADCS, power, communications, thermal control, C&DH)
  • Orbital mechanics and rigid body dynamics
  • Ground systems and spacecraft command & control
  • Requirements validation and verification
  • Modern development practices (Git, CI/CD, cloud infrastructure)
  • Test methods and data analysis
  • Space mission design or operations experience
Apply with Autofill

Opens the application — the Jobs AI extension fills it for you. Set up autofill

Opens the official application on the employer’s site. No login required.

Rocket Lab Corporation

Rocket Lab builds spacecraft and satellites that it launches on its own rockets, developing the avionics, flight software, and ground systems needed to operate these vehicles in orbit. The company is hiring software engineers, test automation specialists, and spacecraft operations engineers to develop embedded flight software, design testing systems, and manage satellite fleet health across commercial and government missions.

View all jobs at Rocket Lab Corporation

Likely interview questions

  • Describe your experience with spacecraft operations or mission design and what systems have you supported.
  • Walk us through how you've developed ground software or automation scripts for spacecraft command and control.
Unlock all 7 questions free — and practice them live →