Systems Engineer

Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a vertically integrated provider of small launch services, satellites, and spacecraft components. Our mission is to open access to space to improve life on Earth. Our team is over 1,300 people strong and we’re adding to it every week. Collaboration is at our core – every idea is heard, and everyone makes a difference. Teams are nimble, decisions are made quickly, and we are action oriented.

SOLAERO BY ROCKET LAB

SolAero Technologies is a leading provider of high efficiency solar cells, solar panels, and composite structural products for satellite and aerospace applications. We are the world’s only vertically integrated, end-to-end supplier of satellite solar arrays. SolAero’s proven flight heritage, high-volume production capability, and technology position us to service the world’s most demanding satellite applications. Our space solar products have powered over 1,00 satellites in orbit to date.

Systems Engineer

Based at Rocket Lab's new headquarters in Albuquerque, New Mexico the Systems Engineering (SE) is responsible for creating and completing documentation for compliance status of customer requirements and generating internal and external deliverables to verify compliance.  These deliverables include compliance matrices, design matrices, risk matrices and their supporting documents. The SE will work with internal and external customers to ensure the solar panel requirements are clearly defined and the resulting design meets those requirements.  This multi-disciplinary position requires flexibility, attention to detail, and the ability to learn quickly.

You will support the Design, Drafting and Systems Engineering Manager and Space Systems organization, with deliverables required for solar panel program manufacturing.

 WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Reviewing and generating compliance and verification documents throughout a program proposal, design and manufacturing cycle.
• Demonstrate both a breadth and depth of knowledge in the capabilities of SolAero’s many groups or understand which resources to interface with to close with on open compliance items.
• Compare appropriate NASA, ANSI, Military and any applicable standards against relevant SolAero processes and ensure that over time SolAero is staying compliant to these standards.
• Identify key risks and open compliance and verification items.
• Assist with generating and presenting slides, internally and externally, during program reviews at several stages in a program lifecycle.
• Generate solutions for long term improvements and integrations for frequently used company tools and processes related to systems level tracking and design.
• Aptitude for environmental testing for spaceflight qualification including thermal vacuum, ambient cycling, random vibration, and thermoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalances (TQCM)
• Create clear and succinct documentation compliance for programs and proposals.
• Interface with external customers to understand, define and align on specific requirements for their program. Generate and implement engineering solutions to meet these requirements.
• Interact with a broad cross-functional team of individuals from R&D, operations, program management, design and manufacturing

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• A STEM degree (BS)
• 2 years hands on experience as a system engineer
• Literacy in reading and reviewing CAD models and mechanical drawings.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Team player with a positive, can-do attitude and interest in solar array design and systems level design
• Ability to present technical information to a diverse audience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to create clear and succinct technical documentation using technical writing fundamentals
• Proficient in use of Microsoft windows Office suite including especially Excel, PowerPoint, Word
• Aptitude in multi-disciplinary level of systems design including mechanical, electrical, photovoltaics and composites design and manufacturing.
• Demonstrate proficient time management and basic project management skills.
• Able to operate in a dynamic environment and meet aggressive deadlines when under pressure
• Able to quickly absorb, process, and apply information outside of one’s core competencies
• Self-motivated, detail oriented, able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Outgoing and willing to be proactive in interfacing with cross-functional teams as well as customers in the aerospace industry.
• Aptitude in multi-disciplinary level of systems design including mechanical, electrical, photovoltaics and composites design and manufacturing.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Rocket Lab USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with Rocket Lab USA is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S Department of State.

Rocket 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.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For 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. 

Under 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.  For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.