Safety & Mission Assurance Engineer II

About the role

Rocket Lab Corporation is seeking a Safety & Mission Assurance Engineer II to join their growing team based in Auckland, New Zealand. This role focuses on ensuring that all mission-critical systems and processes meet the highest standards of safety and reliability throughout the entire product lifecycle, from initial concept through to launch and post-flight analysis. The engineer will work closely with cross-functional teams across multiple disciplines to identify potential risks early in the design phase, develop comprehensive mitigation strategies, and uphold the company's unwavering commitment to mission success and public safety. This position plays a vital part in maintaining the integrity of Rocket Lab's launch vehicle and spacecraft operations, supporting the company's broader goal of providing dedicated small satellite launch services to customers worldwide. The engineer will also contribute to the development of safety culture across the organization, promoting awareness and accountability at every level of the engineering workforce.

Key facts

What you'll do

Support the development and implementation of safety policies across all mission assurance activities and programs

Conduct systematic risk assessments for launch vehicle and spacecraft systems during each phase of the mission

Collaborate with engineering teams to review design documentation for compliance with established safety standards and requirements

Lead failure mode and effects analysis sessions for critical mission components and subsystems

Monitor and report on safety performance metrics during mission integration and test phases

Assist in the formal investigation of anomalies and contribute to corrective action plans

Maintain and update safety case documentation to accurately reflect current program status and changes

Coordinate with external regulatory bodies and certification authorities as needed for mission approvals

Participate in design reviews to identify and address potential safety concerns before they escalate

Contribute to the continuous improvement of mission assurance processes and organizational procedures

Evaluate supplier and vendor safety qualifications during the procurement and integration process

Document all safety-related findings and present clear recommendations to senior leadership for review

Review and update safety procedures to align with evolving mission requirements and industry developments

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution

Strong understanding of systems engineering principles and established safety analysis methodologies

Experience with failure mode and effects analysis or similar structured risk assessment techniques

Ability to communicate technical findings clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Demonstrated attention to detail and a consistent methodical approach to problem-solving

Familiarity with aerospace or defense industry standards and applicable regulatory frameworks

Capacity to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams across different time zones and locations

Willingness to travel occasionally to launch sites and partner facilities as part of mission support

Proven ability to prioritize tasks and manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Knowledge of quality management systems and continuous improvement methodologies is essential

Experience working within a quality management system or ISO-certified environment is advantageous

Nice to have

Prior experience in a launch services or space systems environment is highly valued

Knowledge of probabilistic risk assessment techniques and associated analytical tools

Familiarity with mission assurance standards such as NASA or ESA guidelines and frameworks

Experience with safety-critical software development processes and verification procedures

Understanding of electrical and mechanical systems design for space applications and environments

Ability to manage safety documentation packages through audit and certification cycles

Skills & tools

Proficiency in safety analysis software and modeling tools for risk evaluation

Strong written and verbal communication skills for reporting and technical documentation

Competence in systems engineering lifecycle processes and recognized industry frameworks

Experience with data analysis and statistical methods for reliability and safety assessment

Familiarity with project management methodologies in a regulated and quality-driven environment

Ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and deliver work under tight deadlines

Practical notes

This position is based at Rocket Lab's Auckland facility and is not a remote role

The role requires regular coordination with teams across multiple global locations and offices

Occasional travel to launch ranges and partner sites may be required as part of mission support duties

The successful candidate will be expected to maintain current knowledge of evolving safety regulations and industry best practices

Candidates should be prepared for a dynamic work environment with shifting priorities and tight timelines