SPACE SYSTEMS

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team is responsible for every satellite and satellite component made by Rocket Lab: from complete satellites destined for missions to the Moon and Mars, to the individual components and subsystems that make up a satellite like solar panels, flight software, reaction wheels and star trackers, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team is made up of engineers, technicians, and designers who design, create, and put together our own satellites for missions across the commercial, government, and defense sectors, or who build and assemble satellite hardware and software that supports other satellite missions.

SENIOR SPACECRAFT SUB-SYSTEMS PANEL ENGINEER

TheSenior Spacecraft Sub-Systems Panel Engineer provides technical leadership and coordination to meet Solar Panel and Solar Array program objectives, ensure requirements, and realize system concepts throughout execution of the project plan. This position serves as the main liaison between program management and technical experts both internally and externally (customer facing) to define an executable project to satisfy program needs. Review current design and manufacturing processes to determine limitations to meeting program requirements, assess alternative approaches where needed, and determines the most accurate, feasible, and economical solutions with stakeholders. Examine engineering project execution needs across all engineering departments and ensure the technical scope is appropriately defined for program needs. Prepare presentations and diagrams in relationship to technical requests or problem analysis and coordinate recommended solutions with end users, program management, and other stakeholders.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• In partnership with the Program Manager, serve as the primary technical interface with the customer:
• Provide engineering documents to/from the customer. 
• Provide program related manufacturing/testing/schedule requirements and information from the customer to the panel engineering support group. 
• Be responsible for program compliance to customer specifications. 
• Prepare (with assistance from the panel engineering support group) all technical input for customer meetings. 
• Prepare (with assistance from the panel engineering support group) program deliverable technical reports.
• Manage to close all customer-related action items. 
• In partnership with Program Manager, oversee and coordinate all program-related engineering work:
• Host the engineering kick-off meeting. 
• Oversee design of program deliverables and support hardware. 
• Own the engineering portion of program huddles. 
• Ensure all program-related engineering tasks are on-schedule. 
• Support product configuration management tasks such as review and/or release of program specifications, travelers and test procedures. 
• Interface with production team and manufacturing engineering as required to resolve program-related manufacturing issues, 
• Manager to close all engineering-related action items. 
• Review all program-related engineering documents. 
• Provide instruction for special operations. 
• Review all program-related Engineering Change Requests. 
• Consult on proposal technical input.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A PANEL PROGRAM ENGINEER I:

• BS degree in engineering, material science, or applied physics.
• 5 years of experience in space product-related engineering.
• 5 years of experience using NX, AutoCAD (DWG viewer) or SolidWorks 2012 (e-drawings) or newer.
• Experience in cost justification for new processes and procedures required.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Spacecraft Systems Engineering related degree is desired.
• Experience with structural and mechanical component design for spacecraft and spacecraft environments.
• Leadership experience in a project engineering role.
• Proficient in all MS Office applications.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal to create clear and succinct technical documentation using technical writing fundamentals.
• Able to quickly absorb, process, and apply information outside of one’s core competencies.