Principal Engineer, Space PayloadsNew
The opportunity
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine.
What you'll 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
What they're looking for
- 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
- Bachelor’s degree in technical discipline with 12+ years of professional experience
