Spacecraft Systems Engineer

As a spacecraft systems engineer, you will play an integral part in humanity’s quest to explore space. Design and integrate complex space systems, conduct feasibility analyses and system analyses, as well as contribute to project planning and management.

At Rocket Lab, our aim is to meet customers’ demanding timelines while simultaneously assuring safety and reliability of spacecraft projects. At the same time, learn from industry experts and mentors.

Design

Spacecraft systems engineers create the overall concept for complex vehicles used for travel, operations and exploration in outer space. This includes both robotic spacecraft (satellites) and human spaceflight systems (spaceships).

The design process centers around creating an overall system design capable of meeting its stated requirements through trade studies, analysis and evaluations.

Other essential tasks of systems engineers in their role include creating interface specifications, CONOPS definition and conducting analyses and simulations. Furthermore, systems engineers participate in testing by analyzing telemetry data collected during trials to identify any anomalies that could compromise mission success. They must also track resource budgets to ensure the overall spacecraft remains within established limits such as mass and power usage – an arduous task which requires striking an equitable balance between form and function to meet customer demands with cost-effective solutions.

Integration

Spacecraft systems engineers are integral in the overall design and development of vehicles. Their duties involve creating simulations, requirements definition, system analysis, test planning as well as working closely with program management teams to formulate CONOPS definitions and interface specifications for their spacecraft vehicles.

Space engineers also contribute to the creation of innovative technologies like space-based solar power and medical solutions, while addressing key issues like space debris and commercial space regulations. Their professional skills are highly valued within their industry, earning impressive salaries; senior-level spacecraft systems engineers can command upward of $150,000 annually as they often assume leadership positions on essential space projects. Location can play an integral part in their salary; those specializing in certain fields like propulsion can even see further increases.

Testing

Spacecraft design and construction is at the core of this role; however, systems engineers also take an active part in testing these complex systems to ensure they perform as intended in space. To achieve this balance between calculated risk-taking and meeting customer timelines on tight budgets can be tricky to achieve.

As part of Rocket Lab’s Photon launch vehicle, this role requires designing and integrating a satellite bus, making history in the small satellite industry while showing how CubeSats work in space.

We need someone with a solid background in aerospace engineering who has experience developing, designing and manufacturing space flight hardware. Excellent verbal and written communication skills will be required; as will being capable of creating high-level conceptual designs, architectures and creating comprehensive CONOPS definition documents.

Requirements Analysis

Systems engineers manage technical budgets, set requirements, create simulations and assess various aspects of spacecraft performance. Their responsibility spans from concept development through on-orbit operations.

Customers’ specifications are translated into higher-level development strategies, while working closely with other engineering disciplines to produce lower-level design requirements. Document and store these requirements using a configuration management system.

Systems engineers use this skill set to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, reduce duplicated efforts, and implement changes more efficiently. Systems engineers also specialize in detecting and rectifying anomalies during testing; they analyze telemetry data and communicate with mission controllers to troubleshoot problems before helping determine the most cost-effective use of resources such as power, fuel and data storage – improving efficiency while increasing reliability in space missions.

Management

Assures all requirements are understood and documented, and system design adheres to them. Creates and maintains a GOES-R Series program level requirement catalog and structure as well as supporting development of its concept of operations (CONOPS).

Responsibilities include creating high-level conceptual designs, architectures and block diagrams; writing comprehensive CONOPS documents; conducting RF trade studies using MATLAB in support of NASA projects and product development; performing engineering analysis and verification; as well as contributing input and participation at customer meetings, design reviews and project status updates.

Rocket Lab provides its employees with numerous benefits beyond base salary, such as medical, dental and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement savings plan options; flexible work hours; paid time off benefits and employee stock purchase discounts. Some positions also require U.S. security clearance in order to gain access to export controlled data.