Rocket Lab
Senior Ground Systems Engineer II, Instrumentation & Controls
Rocket Lab, Wallops Island, Virginia, United States, 23337
Senior Ground Systems Engineer II, Instrumentation & Controls
Wallops Island, VA
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 to space.
Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit.
We are also developing Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment, and our Space Systems business designs and builds satellites and components for NASA missions to the Moon, Mars, and the James Webb Space Telescope.
As part of our expanding launch operations, we are seeking a
Senior Ground Systems Engineer II
to design, automate, test, and commission fluid and gas systems at the Launch Complex site.
You will support test operations and be responsible for software, PLCs, networks, instrumentation, and controls.
What You'll Get to Do
Design control systems for complex launch range systems.
Support certification of systems, including producing operator manuals, maintenance procedures, test procedures, and work instructions.
Support technicians remotely or on site during installation, commissioning, testing, and troubleshooting activities.
Become a subject matter expert in instrumentation, control systems, HMI, PLCs, software, and networks.
Perform test operations activities and post‑test data analysis.
You’ll Bring These Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related technical discipline.
8+ years of experience designing instrumentation and controls for liquid launch vehicles.
Hands‑on experience with data acquisition, control, and automation systems.
Experience with object‑oriented PLC programming.
Nice to Have
Experience implementing functional safety (IEC 61508 & IEC 61511).
Experience with NI LabVIEW.
Development experience with C/C++, Python, TeamCity, EPlan, Beckhoff PLC programming, NI cRIO controller programming, Perforce and Git.
Experience with complex industrial fluid systems, especially cryogenics and high‑pressure flows.
Additional Requirements
Specific vision abilities required (close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, focusing ability).
Regular ability to sit, use hands and fingers, operate a keyboard and controls, communicate verbally and in writing.
Must be physically able to commute to the launch complex.
Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, and moderate noise levels.
What to Expect We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth.
We value hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others consider impossible.
Our culture encourages collaboration, rapid problem solving, and a relentless focus on delivering high‑quality results under tight deadlines.
ITAR Compliance and Equal Employment Opportunity To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab employees must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or individuals eligible for the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
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.
All selections and assessments will be made solely on the basis of qualifications, experience, and business needs.
If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process, please contact Giulia Johnson at
g.biow@rocketlabusa.com .
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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 to space.
Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit.
We are also developing Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment, and our Space Systems business designs and builds satellites and components for NASA missions to the Moon, Mars, and the James Webb Space Telescope.
As part of our expanding launch operations, we are seeking a
Senior Ground Systems Engineer II
to design, automate, test, and commission fluid and gas systems at the Launch Complex site.
You will support test operations and be responsible for software, PLCs, networks, instrumentation, and controls.
What You'll Get to Do
Design control systems for complex launch range systems.
Support certification of systems, including producing operator manuals, maintenance procedures, test procedures, and work instructions.
Support technicians remotely or on site during installation, commissioning, testing, and troubleshooting activities.
Become a subject matter expert in instrumentation, control systems, HMI, PLCs, software, and networks.
Perform test operations activities and post‑test data analysis.
You’ll Bring These Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related technical discipline.
8+ years of experience designing instrumentation and controls for liquid launch vehicles.
Hands‑on experience with data acquisition, control, and automation systems.
Experience with object‑oriented PLC programming.
Nice to Have
Experience implementing functional safety (IEC 61508 & IEC 61511).
Experience with NI LabVIEW.
Development experience with C/C++, Python, TeamCity, EPlan, Beckhoff PLC programming, NI cRIO controller programming, Perforce and Git.
Experience with complex industrial fluid systems, especially cryogenics and high‑pressure flows.
Additional Requirements
Specific vision abilities required (close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, focusing ability).
Regular ability to sit, use hands and fingers, operate a keyboard and controls, communicate verbally and in writing.
Must be physically able to commute to the launch complex.
Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, and moderate noise levels.
What to Expect We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth.
We value hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others consider impossible.
Our culture encourages collaboration, rapid problem solving, and a relentless focus on delivering high‑quality results under tight deadlines.
ITAR Compliance and Equal Employment Opportunity To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab employees must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or individuals eligible for the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
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.
All selections and assessments will be made solely on the basis of qualifications, experience, and business needs.
If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process, please contact Giulia Johnson at
g.biow@rocketlabusa.com .
#J-18808-Ljbffr