Principal Spacecraft Operations Engineer - Secret Clearance
Rocket Lab Corporation · Long Beach, CA
Posted 15 days ago
or apply directly on Rocket Lab Corporation's site. We never take the application ourselves.
Is this posting real?
- This role has been open
- 15 days Rocket Lab Corporation's roles stay open a median of 42 days
- Reposted
- No
- Salary listed
- No 0% of Rocket Lab Corporation's roles list one
- Ghost-job risk at Rocket Lab Corporation
- low 0 stale, 12 reposted of 455 open
- Hiring momentum
- 683 roles opened in the last 90 days ↑ up vs. the prior 90 days
- Last confirmed on the employer's board
- 2026-09-17
Measured from postings appearing on and disappearing from Rocket Lab Corporation's own greenhouse board since 2026-08-03. Full hiring picture for Rocket Lab Corporation.
About this role
The Principal Spacecraft Operations Engineer at Rocket Lab is responsible for ensuring the health and performance of satellites while meeting mission objectives for both commercial and government clients. This role involves leading mission operations, advocating for spacecraft operability, defining automation strategies, and collaborating with various engineering teams to enhance spacecraft capabilities. The engineer will also oversee mission operations requirements, develop flight and ground software, and represent mission operations in program reviews.
- benefits
- 5/5
- freshness
- 4/5
- career value
- 5/5
- role clarity
- 5/5
- pay transparency
- 0/5
Scored from the posting itself — how clearly the role is described, how much it says about pay and benefits, and how recently it was listed. Not a judgement of Rocket Lab Corporation as an employer.
What you need
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
- 12+ years of direct experience in space mission design, satellite subsystems, ground systems, spacecraft command control, or spacecraft operations
- 5+ years of experience leading teams of engineers through spacecraft missions or related aerospace projects
- Previous experience in roles such as Mission Lead, Mission Director, Flight Director, or Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer
- Previous experience supporting mission operations activities in an on-console or operator-in-the-loop capacity
- Thorough understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and associated components
Nice to have
- Master’s or PhD in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
- Prior experience in spacecraft operations
- Prior experience in satellite system design
- Prior experience in satellite ground systems
- Exposure to modern development practices – GIT, CI/CD, cloud infrastructure
What you get
- Competitive base pay
- Company stock as part of total compensation
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount
- Top-tier medical plans
- Dental and vision coverage
- Paid vacation and sick time
Worth weighing
- Active security clearance required
- Role involves significant responsibility and leadership
- No specific mention of remote work options
- High level of technical expertise required
Summarised from Rocket Lab Corporation's posting. Read the full original.
Listed by Rocket Lab Corporation on their greenhouse job board, last confirmed open on 2026-09-17. PitchMeAI is not the employer.
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