Principal Engineer, Space Payloads - Active Top Secret Clearance

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket 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 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 Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. 

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. 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.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has 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 them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

PRINCIPAL ENGINEER, SPACE PAYLOADS – ACTIVE TOP SECRET CLEARANCE

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems 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.

We’re seeking an accomplished and mission-driven Principal Enginee r to 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. An active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility, and the ability to work in classified environments (25%+ of the time), are required.

As Principal Engineer, you won’t just lead engineering— you’ll define the technical vision that makes mission success possible. Here, you’ll join a culture of innovation, collaboration, and impact, where your leadership will directly shape the future of space technology!

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Own the technical baseline: Serve as the authority across systems engineering, hardware, software, and test, ensuring requirements are achieved and the system delivers mission value.
• Lead critical reviews: Chair program gate reviews from SRR through TRR, assessing design maturity, readiness, and risk posture.
• Shape system architecture: Direct the development and integration of architectures spanning payload, ground systems, and mission operations.
• Guide execution: Oversee engineering performance to deliver on cost, schedule, and technical objectives, including subcontractor oversight.
• Champion engineering excellence: Enforce standards, processes, and quality while advancing Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Digital Engineering.
• Manage risk & opportunity: Own the program Risk Register, proactively mitigating risks and capturing opportunities to improve performance.
• Engage with stakeholders: Act as the primary technical interface with customer technical teams, subcontractors, and REALCO leadership.
• Support growth: Contribute to proposals, technical volumes, and reviews, helping shape future opportunities.
• Mentor the next generation: Provide leadership and guidance to engineers across disciplines, fostering collaboration, knowledge transfer, and technical excellence

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline
• Experience: 12+ years of engineering experience, with 8+ years of experience leading engineering teams or organizations
• Security Clearance: Active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility (current TS/SCI or reinvestigated within the last 6 years)
• Program Execution: Experience leading large-scale proposals, including technical volumes and customer-facing reviews
• Proven ability to deliver complex aerospace or defense systems on cost, on schedule, and to performance requirements
• Prior experience as a chief engineer or technical authority on a program of record or major defense contract
• Strong record of interfacing with senior government customers and building trusted technical relationship
• Ability to travel up to 25%, and work in classified environments with sensitive program information

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Education: Advanced degree in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, or physics
• Space Programs: Recent experience (last 10 years) supporting space missions, with an emphasis on payload integration
• Remote Sensing: 5+ years working with EO/IR, radar, or hyperspectral sensor technologies, including performance modeling and exploitation
• Ground Systems: 5+ years developing command & control, mission planning, or tactical ground systems for space assets
• Mission-Level Systems Thinking: Experience with CONOPS development and enterprise-scale architectures
• Data Analytics & AI/ML: Knowledge of advanced data exploitation, machine learning, and Automatic Target Recognition (ATR)
• Integration Leadership: Experience integrating multi-disciplinary engineering efforts across suppliers and subcontractors
• Complex Systems Development: Leadership in the design, production, and integration of large-scale defense or aerospace systems
• MBSE Expertise: Hands-on experience applying Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methods
• Execution Excellence: Track record of achieving technical, cost, and schedule commitments as a chief engineer or technical lead
• Collaboration & Decision-Making: Ability to build consensus across diverse stakeholders and make sound decisions under uncertainty
• Collaboration & Influence: Ability to motivate and guide teams without direct line authority, achieving alignment across diverse organizations and subcontractors
• Communication: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical solutions to executives, customers, and non-technical audiences

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

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 View email address on swooped.co. 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.