Senior/Principal Controls Systems Engineer - Secret Clearance

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 for Senior Controls Systems Engineer I Bachelor’s degree in electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility 5+ 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 Qualifications for Senior Controls Systems Engineer II Bachelor’s degree in electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility 8+ years of engineering experience, including 3+ years directly supporting development programs and 2+ years in project, team, or technical leadership roles CAM and/or IPTL experience Demonstrated systems engineering experience with strong emphasis on electrical architecture, subsystem integration, and controls-focused system development Strong background in electrical architecture development for complex aerospace, payload, avionics, or instrument systems Demonstrated experience defining and managing electrical interfaces, control architectures, signal paths, and subsystem functional behavior across multiple subsystems Proven ability to lead requirements development, architecture trades, integration planning, and system verification for electrically complex systems Experience translating mission or customer needs into implementable electrical, functional, and controls architectures Experience with requirements management and modeling tools such as JAMA, DOORS, Cameo, or similar tools Experience with software and firmware development lifecycles as they relate to system architecture, controls implementation, and hardware/software integration Strong knowledge of how to interpret and develop electrical, hardware, software, and interface technical documentation Experience troubleshooting integrated hardware and software systems with ability to identify root cause across electrical, controls, and interface issues Experience with hardware interfaces, communications protocols, command and telemetry paths, timing, synchronization, and subsystem integration Experience with space environments and testing regimes including vibration, shock, radiation, thermal, EMI, or related qualification environments Familiarity with aerospace industry standards and practices Excellent task management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and deliver results within given constraints Ability to provide system-level technical direction from concept development through integration and delivery, with emphasis on electrical and controls architecture Qualifications for Principal Controls Systems Engineer Bachelor’s degree in electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility 12+ years of engineering experience, including 5+ years directly supporting development programs and 3+ years in technical or program leadership roles Deep experience leading system architecture for complex payload, instrument, avionics, or aerospace systems Recognized technical strength in electrical architecture, controls, interface management, and integration leadership Proven ability to own system-level technical direction from concept through delivery Experience leading major architecture trades, driving cross-discipline decisions, and resolving complex technical issues with program impact Strong background in requirements, interface control, verification strategy, and system qualification Demonstrated experience defining and managing electrical and controls interfaces across multiple subsystems and development teams Ability to translate mission needs and customer requirements into executable electrical, functional, and controls architectures Experience representing the technical baseline with customers, leadership, suppliers, and external stakeholders Ability to mentor engineers and shape engineering rigor, architecture practices, interface discipline, and integration approaches across multiple programs Strong understanding of aerospace standards, development lifecycle expectations, 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 electrical architectures for sensors, actuators, motors, power systems, or embedded controllers Hands‑on expertise leading troubleshooting and resolution of system‑level electrical or controls‑related issues Demonstrated experience working with minimal supervision in complex projects Experience in astronomy, physics, or remote sensing Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and explain complex implementation processes to other organization members Strong communication, task management, and cross‑functional coordination skills 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 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 click.appcast.io. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr