Principal Systems Engineer

ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us. SPACE SYSTEMS Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios. The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help get to space — our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions. PRINCIPAL SYSTEMS ENGINEER Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community 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, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains. As a Principal Systems Engineer for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ, you will be involved throughout the entire lifecycle of advanced space payloads in support of Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO: • Support the development of system architecture for space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads on airborne and space platforms, with emphasis on electrical architecture and controls integration • Define, decompose, and manage system requirements with focus on electrical behavior, control functions, subsystem interactions, and overall system performance • Develop and maintain technical documentation including architecture descriptions, interface control documents, electrical interface definitions, concepts of operations, state and mode descriptions, test plans, and verification artifacts • Support development of electrical and functional architectures, including command and telemetry flow, power distribution, control logic, signal paths, timing, synchronization, and subsystem interaction • Collaborate with hardware, software, firmware, and test teams to ensure the electrical architecture and controls implementation align with system requirements and mission intent • Support the development, integration, and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms • Support hardware and software development teams with system-level test planning, debugging, integration, and execution of verification procedures; analyze data and recommend design refinements • Participate in hardware and software verification and validation activities related to system behavior, electrical performance, controls implementation, and interface compliance • Support architecture trades involving sensors, motor control, embedded electronics, power systems, command and data handling, and subsystem interfaces • Participate in technical interchange meetings and project discussions with internal teams, customers, and external partners as needed • Identify, assess, and help mitigate technical risks related to electrical architecture, controls implementation, and subsystem integration • Support travel or off-site work as needed • Perform other duties as assigned QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS PRINCIPAL SYSTEMS ENGINEER: • Bachelor’s degree in electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline • 12+ years of engineering experience, including 3+ years supporting development programs and 2+ years in technical leadership, CAM, IPTL, or equivalent role • Demonstrated systems engineering experience with emphasis on electrical architecture, subsystem integration, and controls focused development • Strong electrical engineering background supporting complex aerospace, payload, avionics, or instrument systems • Experience developing system requirements, interface definitions, and verification approaches for complex systems • Strong background in electrical interfaces, control functions, avionics integration, or subsystem architecture • Experience with requirements management and modeling tools such as JAMA, DOORS, Cameo, or similar tools • Experience working across hardware, software, and firmware development throughout the lifecycle • Familiarity with command and telemetry interfaces, power architectures, signal interfaces, timing, synchronization, and control logic • Experience supporting integration and test, including troubleshooting electrical or controls-related issues at the subsystem or system level • Strong ability to read, interpret, and develop electrical, interface, and system technical documentation • Familiarity with aerospace development standards, environmental testing, and mission assurance practices THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: • Current SSBI clearance • EO/IR payload integration experience • Experience with spacecraft bus interfaces, payload electrical integration, avionics architecture, or embedded electronics • Experience with pointing, stabilization, gimbals, motion control, focus/control electronics, or other closed-loop control applications • Experience defining or troubleshooting e