Rocket Lab · 21 hours ago
Principal Engineer, Space Payloads - Active Secret Clearance
Tucson, AZ
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff
12+ years expRocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services and spacecraft design. They are seeking a Principal Engineer to lead the design, development, and integration of next-generation space-based electro-optical sensor systems, impacting national security and advancing innovation.
AerospaceManufacturingSoftwareSpace Travel
No H1B
Security Clearance RequiredU.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
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
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline
12+ years of engineering experience, with 8+ years of experience leading engineering teams or organizations
Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
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 relationships
Ability to travel up to 25%, and work in classified environments with sensitive program information
Preferred
Advanced degree in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, or physics
Active TS/SCI clearance
Recent experience (last 10 years) supporting space missions, with an emphasis on payload integration
5+ years working with EO/IR, radar, or hyperspectral sensor technologies, including performance modeling and exploitation
5+ years developing command & control, mission planning, or tactical ground systems for space assets
Experience with CONOPS development and enterprise-scale architectures
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
Ability to build consensus across diverse stakeholders and make sound decisions under uncertainty
Ability to motivate and guide teams without direct line authority, achieving alignment across diverse organizations and subcontractors
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical solutions to executives, customers, and non-technical audiences
Company
Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an aerospace company that provides launch services, spacecraft design, and manufacturing of satellite components.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$1.98BKey Investors
Canadian Space AgencyU.S. Department of CommerceTrinity Capital
2025-12-09Grant
2025-09-15Post Ipo Equity· $750M
2024-11-25Grant· $23.9M
Leadership Team
Adam Spice
Chief Financial Officer
Frank Klein
Chief Operations Officer
Recent News
Sherwood News
2026-01-07
2026-01-07
Company data provided by crunchbase