# Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I at Rocket Lab

- Company: Rocket Lab
- What the company does: The end-to-end space company delivering reliable launch services, spacecraft, satellite components. Backed by Bessemer and Khosla.
- Company website: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/
- Type: Startups
- Level: Senior
- Location: Long Beach, CA
- Work setup: On-site
- Posted: 2026-09-23
- Apply by: 2026-11-07
- Apply: https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/rocketlab/jobs/7997666003
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/rocket-lab-senior-spacecraft-operations-engineer-i/

## About the role

Based on site at Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA the Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer I is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and optimal performance of a growing fleet of satellites while meeting mission objectives and SLAs for both commercial and government customers. This includes supporting diverse missions such as LEO constellations, interplanetary exploration, LEO rendezvous, and SDA-related deployments.

## What they're looking for

- Bachelor’s degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
- 5+ years of direct experience in any of the following: space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command control or spacecraft operations
- Understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
- Software development experience (Python/Ruby/C/C++/other high-level languages)
- US citizenship is required due to program requirements
- Ability to obtain and maintain US Security clearance

Tags: Space Systems Software