Principal Engineer, Space Payloads - Secret/top Secret Clearance
Rocket Lab
Tucson, AZ, United States
On-site
Active secret/top secret clearance with sci eligibility
12+ years professional engineering experience
8+ years leading multi-domain engineering teams
Rocket Lab is seeking a Principal Engineer for their Space Payloads division, requiring an active Secret or Top Secret clearance. This role involves leading the design and integration of advanced electro-optical sensor systems, contributing to national security missions, and mentoring engineering teams in Tucson, AZ
Job Summary
This role serves as the definitive technical authority guiding a multi-disciplinary team through all phases of developing next-generation space-based electro-optical sensor systems.
The position directly impacts national security by delivering advanced sensing solutions to Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers.
Candidates will chair critical program gate reviews from SRR through TRR while managing risk registers and interfacing with senior government stakeholders.
Matching Summary
Match Score: 85
Rocket Lab is seeking a Principal Engineer for their Space Payloads division, requiring an active Secret or Top Secret clearance. This role involves leading the design and integration of advanced electro-optical sensor systems, contributing to national security missions, and mentoring engineering teams in Tucson, AZ.
Skills & Requirements
Must-have
Active Secret/Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility
12+ years professional engineering experience
8+ years leading multi-domain engineering teams
Chief engineer or technical authority on major defense contract
Experience delivering complex aerospace systems on cost and schedule
Nice-to-have
Master's degree or PhD in technical discipline
Recent experience supporting space missions and payload integration
Five+ years working with EO/IR, radar, or hyperspectral sensors
Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
Knowledge of machine learning and Automatic Target Recognition
Key Requirements
Bachelor's degree in technical discipline
Active Secret/Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility