Systems Engineer II

About the role

Rocket Lab Corporation is seeking a Systems Engineer II to join their growing engineering team in Long Beach, California. This position centers on the design, integration, and verification of complex aerospace systems across multiple stages of the product development lifecycle. The Systems Engineer II will work closely with cross-functional teams of hardware, software, and test engineers to ensure that system-level requirements are properly defined, tracked, and satisfied throughout the build and test process. This role contributes directly to the delivery of reliable, high-performance launch and space systems that meet rigorous mission standards.

Key facts

What you'll do

Support the integration of individual subsystems into larger vehicle and payload configurations across multiple project phases and development milestones.

Perform detailed system-level analysis to evaluate performance characteristics, reliability projections, and safety margins for aerospace applications and flight hardware.

Develop and maintain comprehensive system architecture documentation including interface control documents, data flow diagrams, and functional block schematics.

Coordinate closely with hardware and software engineering teams to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues during assembly and test campaigns.

Conduct structured trade studies to compare competing design alternatives and recommend optimal engineering solutions that satisfy system-level requirements and constraints.

Assist in the preparation and review of technical specifications, test plans, verification matrices, and formal acceptance reports for system deliverables.

Participate actively in design review meetings and provide informed engineering input on system-level decisions, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies.

Track and communicate system-level performance metrics, anomaly reports, and corrective action items to both internal stakeholders and project leadership.

Contribute to the definition and refinement of system requirements while ensuring full traceability from initial requirements through final verification activities.

Support both field and laboratory test campaigns by processing collected data, identifying trends, and recommending design improvements based on findings.

Collaborate with program managers and other disciplines to establish schedules, resource plans, and technical baselines for system development efforts.

Apply engineering judgment to evaluate proposed design changes and assess their impact on overall system performance, cost, and schedule.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical discipline from an accredited four-year college or university.

Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team-oriented engineering environment while coordinating with multiple internal and external stakeholders.

Strong written and verbal communication skills for preparing detailed technical documents and presenting engineering findings to diverse audiences.

Solid understanding of systems engineering principles including requirements management, verification and validation planning, and configuration control practices.

Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and meet established deadlines in a fast-paced aerospace development environment.

Working proficiency with standard engineering software tools used for modeling, simulation, analysis, and technical documentation creation.

Willingness to travel on occasion to support testing activities, integration events, and launch site operations as project demands require.

A methodical and detail-oriented approach to problem identification, root cause analysis, and resolution of issues in complex systems.

Experience applying engineering fundamentals to real-world problems in a hands-on capacity during academic or professional projects.

Ability to adapt to shifting priorities and changing project directions while maintaining focus on quality and technical excellence.

Nice to have

Prior experience with aerospace or defense programs involving launch vehicles, spacecraft, or satellite systems in any capacity.

Knowledge of model-based systems engineering methodologies and digital engineering workflows used in modern aerospace development.

Familiarity with programming or scripting languages such as Python or MATLAB for automating analysis and data processing tasks.

Experience working within a regulated environment that follows compliance standards, quality assurance procedures, and configuration management practices.

Exposure to requirements management tools and systems engineering software platforms commonly used in the aerospace industry.

Skills & tools

Systems engineering methodology and lifecycle management practices for guiding products from concept through disposal.

Technical documentation and requirements management software platforms for maintaining traceability across system specifications.

Modeling and simulation tools used for performance analysis, structural assessment, and thermal evaluation of aerospace systems.

Data analysis and visualization applications for interpreting test results, telemetry data, and experimental measurements.

Version control and collaboration tools that support coordinated engineering work across distributed team members.

Engineering drawing and CAD software for reviewing and interpreting hardware designs and mechanical layouts.

Spreadsheet and database applications for organizing test data, tracking requirements, and generating summary reports.

Presentation and communication tools for sharing technical findings with both engineering and non-technical audiences.

Practical notes

This role is based at the company's primary facility in Long Beach, California, with potential for occasional travel to other sites.

Candidates should expect to work alongside experienced engineers in a collaborative, fast-moving, and technically demanding environment on a daily basis.

The position may involve working under time-sensitive schedules that are tied directly to launch campaigns, integration events, and project milestones.

Rocket Lab Corporation values diversity and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to consider this opportunity and submit their application.

The hiring process may include multiple rounds of technical interviews, a systems engineering case study, and coordination with the recruiting team.