{"id":2548876,"url":"https://alion.io/job/rocket-lab-senior-software-systems-engineer-ii","title":"Senior Software Systems Engineer II","company":{"id":684473,"name":"Rocket Lab","domain":"rocketlab.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/rocketlab-2","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":80,"open_postings":81,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.778,"repost_share":0.012,"time_to_fill_p50_days":39,"computed_at":"2026-10-17T05:46:00Z"}},"role":"Backend","role_family":"Backend","seniority":"senior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Tucson, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":144000,"max_usd":263000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":3287},"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"MATLAB","optional":true},{"name":"Simulink","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-14T16:40:10Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-14","last_verified_at":"2026-10-18T03:19:19Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":3,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":3},"description":"ABOUT ROCKET LAB\nRocket 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. Come shape the future with us.\nSPACE SYSTEMS\nRocket Lab’s Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.\nThe Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help get to space - our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.\nSENIOR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEER II\nRocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.\nAs a Senior Software Systems Engineer II based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to design, develop, and test space-based electro-optical sensors. Systems engineers are responsible for the development and maintenance of technical budgets, requirements definition, test planning and execution, and overall management of the systems engineering process. They also work hands-on with flight software and drive the technical development of our Space Systems missions.\nWHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:\nDesign, integrate, and develop software for space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms\nUnderstand and interpret overall system architecture, deriving and allocating software and firmware requirements to ensure consistency across interfaces and subsystems\nUnderstand the software/firmware development pipeline and SW/FW development process, from requirements through build, integration, test, and release\nDevelop and maintain:\nTechnical budgets for vehicle performance\nSoftware System requirements and verification techniques\nSimulations and analysis across vehicle functions\nTest methods and data analysis\nProvide technical oversight of system software architecture, interfaces, mission assurance, and compliance\nAssist with program and product management\nDevelop, in collaboration with team members, interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents\nSupport the development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms\nExecute software verification test campaigns on the flatsat, development unit, or flight unit, including test setup, dry runs, and formal verification runs\nVerify the correct software build and configuration are under test, confirming the as-tested configuration matches the intended verification\nSupport authoring, derivation, and verification of software and firmware requirements, and maintain requirements traceability throughout the development lifecycle, addressing conflicts or gaps\nParticipate in technical interchange meetings (TIMs) and represent the organization in project discussions with internal stakeholders and external partners\nMentor other engineers on systems engineering, requirements, and verification and validation (V&V) methodologies\nAbility to support travel or off-site work, as needed\nQUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS SENIOR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEER II:\nBachelor’s degree in engineering (software or computer engineering)\nActive Clearance\n8+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry; with 2+ years directly supporting development projects and 1+ years in project or team leadership\nA strong knowledge of how to interpret organizational, software, and hardware technical documents\nDemonstrable experience in systems software engineering, with a strong focus on developing, testing, and integrating with space or airborne instruments\nExperience with requirements management, workflow, and modeling tools such as JAMA, DOORS, JIRA, or Cameo\nExperience supporting development programs\nU.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements\nQUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS SENIOR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEER II:\nBachelor’s degree in engineering (systems, software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)\nActive Clearance\n8+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry; with 3+ years directly supporting development projects and 2+ years in project or team leadership\nCAM and/or IPTL experience\nA strong knowledge of how to interpret organizational, software, and hardware technical documents\nDemonstrable experience in systems engineering, with a strong focus on developing, testing, and integrating with space or airborne instruments\nExperience with requirements management, workflow, and modeling tools such as JAMA, DOORS, JIRA, or Cameo\nExperience supporting development programs\nFamiliarity with aerospace industry standards, regulations, and practices\nU.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements\nTHESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:\nActive TS/SCI clearance\nMaster’s or PhD in engineering (software or computer engineering)\nEO/IR payload integration experience\nProficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent\nExperience with the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) from requirements development through systems operations and maintenance\nKnowledge of software interfaces and communications protocols\nHands-on expertise leading troubleshooting and resolution of system-level issues\nDemonstrated experience working with minimal supervision in complex projects\nExcellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and explain complex implementation processes to other organization members\nThis position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.\nWHAT TO EXPECT \nWe’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way. \nImportant information:\nFOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:\nTo 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.\nRocket 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.\nApplicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at . 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.\nFOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:\nFor 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. \nUnder 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. 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