Systems Engineer

Job Title: Systems Engineer

Job Description

As a Systems Engineer, you will be involved in the design, integration, and development of space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms. You will define, allocate, and manage technical requirements for space systems, ensuring traceability throughout the development process while addressing potential conflicts or issues. You will lead requirements definition, allocation, and traceability across the development lifecycle, and prepare and maintain technical documentation such as system design descriptions, ICDs, CONOPs, and test plans. You will also generate technical reports and presentations to communicate findings, progress, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical management of project requirements, system architecture, system interfaces, mission assurance guidelines, and system compliance.

• Support the development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms.

• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration and functionality of exquisite payloads.

• Support hardware and software development teams with system-level test planning, debugging, integration, and execution of verification test procedures.

• Analyze data and recommend design refinements.

• Lead hardware and software V&V activities to confirm alignment with program and customer requirements.

• Provide technical oversight of system architecture, interfaces, mission assurance, and compliance.

• Participate in technical interchange meetings and represent the organization in project discussions.

• Support the development, testing, and delivery of space payloads; assess and mitigate technical risks.

• Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills

• Verification, validation, integration, and systems engineering experience in the Aerospace and Defense industry.

• At least 5 years of professional systems engineering experience.

• At least 2 years of validation and verification experience.

• At least 3 years of integration experience.

• Experience with requirement management tools.

• At least 2 years of requirements experience.

• Experience in a cross-functional environment.

• Experience in a highly regulated industry such as Aerospace, Defense, Medical Device, Automotive, Semiconductor, or Data Center.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics.

• Optical systems experience: Cameras, lenses, etc.

• Professional Python or Matlab experience.

• Professional experience using DOORS or JAMA.

• Test planning experience.

• Testing experience.

• Aerospace and Defense Experience.

• Assembly experience.

• Active Security Clearance.

• Experience working with a sub-vendor.

Work Environment

The role is fully onsite with flexible start times between 7 AM and 9 AM, five days a week. The company offers a dynamic and fast-paced work environment, focusing on new and cutting-edge programs. You will have the opportunity to work closely with a small, dedicated team and see the tangible impact of your work as you collaborate with Rocket Lab to build satellites and vehicles. The systems team is supportive, with high expectations for performance and excellent interpersonal relationships.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Tucson, AZ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $155000.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Tucson,AZ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 7, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.