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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Systems Engineer I/II - Secret Clearance - **Company:** Rocket Lab - **Location:** Tucson, AZ, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Data Analysis, Systems Engineering, Communications Protocols, Software Design Documents, Hardware Interface Design, MATLAB, Software Tools, Requirements Management, Simulink, Software Engineering, Software Requirements Analysis, Subsystems, Systems Architecture, Systems Integration, Visual Systems, Jama (Software), SC Clearance - **Published:** August 13, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.disabledperson.com/jobs/74205414-senior-systems-engineer-i-ii-secret-clearance ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in engineering (systems, software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline) * Active Clearance * 5+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry; with 2+ years directly supporting development projects and 1+ years in project or team leadership * A strong knowledge of how to interpret organizational, software, and hardware technical documents * Demonstrable experience in systems engineering, with a strong focus on developing, testing, and integrating with space or airborne instruments * Experience with requirements management and modeling tools such as JAMA, Doors, or Cameo * Experience supporting development programs * U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements, * Bachelor's degree in engineering (systems, software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline) * Active Clearance * 8+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry; with 3+ years directly supporting development projects and 2+ years in project or team leadership * CAM and/or IPTL experience * A strong knowledge of how to interpret organizational, software, and hardware technical documents * Demonstrable experience in systems engineering, with a strong focus on developing, testing, and integrating with space or airborne instruments * Experience with requirements management and modeling tools such as JAMA, Doors, or Cameo * Experience supporting development programs * Familiarity with aerospace industry standards, regulations, and practices * U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements, * Active TS/SCI clearance * Master's or PhD in engineering (systems, software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline) * EO/IR payload integration experience * Proficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent * Experience with space environments and testing regimes (vibe, shock, radiation, thermal, EMI, corrosion, etc.) * Experience with the Software Development Lifecycle from requirements development through systems operations and maintenance * Knowledge of hardware interfaces and communications protocols * Hands-on expertise leading troubleshooting and resolution of system-level issues * Demonstrated experience working with minimal supervision in complex projects * Experience in astronomy, physics, or remote sensing * Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and explain complex implementation processes to other organization members This 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. 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. ## Description As a Senior Systems Engineer 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 hardware, and drive the technical development of our Space Systems missions. (Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Systems Engineer I or Senior Systems Engineer II level) WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO: * Design, integrate, and develop space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms * Develop and maintain: * Technical budgets for vehicle performance * System requirements and verification techniques * Simulations and analysis across vehicle functions * Test methods and data analysis Provide technical oversight of system architecture, interfaces, mission assurance, and compliance Assist with program and product management Develop, in collaboration with team members, interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents Support the development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed Perform other duties as assigned ## Related Videos - [Building a hypercar from scratch](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/607-building-a-hypercar-from-scratch) - [What I learned as a developer from accidents in space](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/642-what-i-learned-as-a-developer-from-accidents-in-space) - [10M Data Records Lost, Underwater Computing, and Psychedelic Fish - Matthias Geniar](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1908-10m-data-records-lost-underwater-computing-and-psychedelic-fish-matthias-geniar) - [Leveraging Large Language Models for Legacy Code Translation: Challenges and Solutions](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1157-leveraging-large-language-models-for-legacy-code-translation-challenges-and-solutions) - [Robots are coming into the wild! Full-Stack Robotics Engineers, be ready!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/479-robots-are-coming-into-the-wild-full-stack-robotics-engineers-be-ready) - [Develop on Windows, Deploy on Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1600-develop-on-windows-deploy-on-red-hat-enterprise-linux) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [Wonder Women in Tech](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/702-wonder-women-in-tech) - [Dev Digest 134 - Where pixels sing?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/477-dev-digest-134-where-pixels-sing)