Senior Analyst II/Principal Analyst - Space Payloads (Secret Clearance)

About The Role

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR ANALYST II/PRINCIPAL ANALYST - SPACE PAYLOADS (SECRET CLEARANCE)

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Senior Analyst II/Principal Analyst - Space Payloads (Secret Clearance) based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will work closely with design and systems engineering team members to provide quantitative technical guidance and performance assessment. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

(Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Analyst II or Principal Analyst level)

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Collaborate with researchers on projects related to machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computer vision
• Preform rapid prototyping and enhanced development to be integrated into operational systems
• Contribute your strong programming ability and experience to develop robust solutions for real-world problems
• Validate, optimize, and deploy advanced exploitation algorithms
• Perform troubleshooting, bug fixes, and maintenance of existing and new code to ensure stability and robustness
• Guide/author data collection and analysis software
• Collaborate closely with firmware development and electronics interface control
• Design calibration and characterization experiments
• Use excellent investigative and trouble-shooting skills to assess issues and develop resolutions in the lab and in the field
• Work proactively to complete tasks with little direction
• Communicate effectively with project management, customers, and team members across disciplines
• Attend technical interchange meetings with team members and other project personnel, and represent the organization in matters pertaining to the development of projects
• Provide status on assigned tasks and program schedules
• Review documents and resolve technical engineering and integration issues
• Manage time and resources in order to meet assigned deadlines
• Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS SENIOR ANALYST II:

• Bachelor’s degree in science, or other technical discipline
• Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• 8+ years of professional experience
• Ability to contribute to the completion of program and project milestones

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS PRINCIPAL ANALYST:

• Bachelor’s degree in science, or other technical discipline
• Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• 12+ years of professional experience
• Ability to contribute to the completion of program and project milestones

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Master’s or PhD in science, or other technical discipline
• Hands-on expertise with electro-optical systems, imaging systems, light sources, and/or military/space payloads
• Working knowledge of MATLAB, python, and C++ computer languages, and expertise in computer interfacing techniques
• Expertise in modeling and simulation
• Excellent communication and documentation skills
• Experience in a dynamic and high-visibility role
• Team player incorporating a team-based success philosophy

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise

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.