Principal Engineer, Space Payloads - Secret/Top Secret Clearance

About The Role

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 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 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 SECRET/TOP SECRET CLEARANCE

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 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 RLOS 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:

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline with 12+ years of professional experience
• Active Secret/Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility
• 8+ years of experience leading engineering teams or organizations across multiple domains
• 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
• Experience leading large-scale proposals, including technical volumes and customer-facing reviews
• Strong record of interfacing with senior government customers and building trusted technical relationships
• Ability 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 information
• Ability to work in classified environments 25%+ of the time

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Master’s degree or PhD in a technical discipline
• Recent experience supporting space missions, with an emphasis on payload integration
• Five+ years working with EO/IR, radar, or hyperspectral sensor technologies, including performance modeling and exploitation
• Five+ years developing command & control, mission planning, or tactical ground systems for space assets
• Experience 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 subcontractors
• Leadership in the design, production, and integration of large-scale defense or aerospace systems
• Hands-on experience applying Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methods
• Track record of achieving technical, cost, and schedule commitments as a chief engineer or technical lead
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical solutions to executives, customers, and non-technical audiences
• Ability to build consensus across diverse stakeholders and make sound decisions under uncertainty

 

This 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 View email address on us.fitly.work 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.