The posting
ABOUT ROCKET LAB
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. Come shape the future with us.
While other companies talk about it, we do it!
ABOUT ENGINEERING AT ROCKET LAB:
Engineering is at the heart of Rocket Lab. Our engineering team has a proven track record of designing and developing world-class rockets and spacecraft that are changing the way we access and use space. You’ll work alongside driven, talented engineers from varied backgrounds and experience levels, all committed to the same mission. Our engineering team members span design, analysis, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, assembly and integration, quality control, engineering documentation, and more.
About the Role
As a Senior Engineer – Test and Launch Operations, you will provide hands-on technical leadership and project ownership within Rocket Lab’s Test and Launch Operations team. You’ll drive operational improvements, fill key on-console operations roles, and facilitate cross-team problem-solving to ensure our missions launch on time and with low risk. This is your opportunity to make a direct impact on the future of space access.
What You’ll Get to Do:
Integrated Operations
- Identify and solve significant engineering challenges, independently or as part of a team
- Perform operator duties during test and launch campaigns, including development, qualification, and flight acceptance testing
- Facilitate inter-team problem solving to resolve issues impacting launch capability
- Uphold and contribute to engineering best practices in Test and Launch Operations
- Continuously improve and streamline testing and operational activities
- Identify and implement quality, efficiency, and cost improvements
- Optimize and automate checkout, processing, testing, and operations
- Take ownership of process improvement initiatives and drive common processes and tools across Integrated Operations
- Develop and implement solutions to support increasing operational cadence
Technical Leadership
- Support development of resourcing plans and hiring strategies aligned with team objectives
- Set the standard for professionalism and skill in operator duties
- Use experience and sound judgment to make complex, risk-based decisions with limited information
Process & Projects
- Lead and execute high-priority projects and systems for Test and Launch Operations
- Move with urgency, translating strategic priorities into action
- Take calculated risks to deliver solutions on time and within budget
- Challenge the status quo and seek creative solutions to tough problems
- Use metrics to drive accountability and continuous improvement
What You’ll Bring:
Essential
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronic Engineering, or equivalent
- 5+ years’ experience in engineering, test, and/or operations
- Ability to read, understand, and follow detailed schematics, drawings, and instructions
- Self-driven, motivated, and contagiously positive attitude
- Excellent communication skills and ability to build strong working relationships
- Meticulous work ethic with a keen eye for detail
- Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines
- Comfortable working at heights and in confined spaces
Desirable
- 8+ years’ experience in engineering, test, and/or operations
- 2+ years’ experience leading time-critical, multi-disciplinary engineering operations
- Experience with launch vehicles or spacecraft, including integration, testing, launch, and/or mission operations
- Experience with CAD systems
- Proficiency in Java, Python, or other object-oriented programming languages
- Experience with LabVIEW and PLC development for data acquisition & real-time control
What Success Looks Like
- You deliver results—on time and within budget—by rallying support, challenging the status quo, and driving accountability through metrics.
- You’re a role model for professionalism, positivity, and a “no job too tough” attitude.
- You coach and mentor junior engineers, elevate team standards, and consistently contribute to a culture of excellence.
- You communicate clearly and concisely, ensuring meetings and actions are purposeful and impactful.
- You proactively identify and solve problems, always striving for the best outcome for the business.
Additional Information:
- Domestic and international travel may be required
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance
- Adherence to health and safety policies and procedures is required
If the above sounds like you apply now!
WHAT TO EXPECT
We’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.
Important information:
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:
To 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.
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.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [email protected] 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.
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.
