Weekend Principal Controls Engineer Jobs in Arizona

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we're not just launching rockets - we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it's a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space - our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR/PRINCIPAL CONTROLS SYSTEMS ENGINEER - SECRET CLEARANCE

Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Senior/Principal Controls Systems Engineer based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to design, develop, and test space-based electro-optical sensors. To be successful in this role, you must apply engineering best practices to ensure the success of complex missions in pioneering space projects. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

(Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Controls Systems Engineer I, Senior Controls Systems Engineer II, or Principal Controls Systems Engineer level)

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Support the development of system architecture for space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads on airborne and space platforms, with emphasis on electrical architecture and controls integration
• Define, decompose, and manage system requirements with focus on electrical behavior, control functions, subsystem interactions, and overall system performance
• Develop and maintain technical documentation including architecture descriptions, interface control documents, electrical interface definitions, concepts of operations, state and mode descriptions, test plans, and verification artifacts
• Support development of electrical and functional architectures, including command and telemetry flow, power distribution, control logic, signal paths, timing, synchronization, and subsystem interaction
• Collaborate with hardware, software, firmware, and test teams to ensure the electrical architecture and controls implementation align with system requirements and mission intent
• Support the development, integration, and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms
• Support hardware and software development teams with system-level test planning, debugging, integration, and execution of verification procedures; analyze data and recommend design refinements
• Participate in hardware and software verification and validation activities related to system behavior, electrical performance, controls implementation, and interface compliance
• Support architecture trades involving sensors, motor control, embedded electronics, power systems, command and data handling, and subsystem interfaces
• Participate in technical interchange meetings and project discussions with internal teams, customers, and external partners as needed
• Identify, assess, and help mitigate technical risks related to electrical architecture, controls implementation, and subsystem integration
• Support travel or off-site work as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS YOU'LL BRING AS SENIOR CONTROLS SYSTEMS ENGINEER I:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline
• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• 5+ years of engineering experience, including 3+ years supporting development programs and 2+ years in technical leadership, CAM, IPTL, or equivalent role
• Demonstrated systems engineering experience with emphasis on electrical architecture, subsystem integration, and controls focused development
• Strong electrical engineering background supporting complex aerospace, payload, avionics, or instrument systems
• Experience developing system requirements, interface definitions, and verification approaches for complex systems
• Strong background in electrical interfaces, control functions, avionics integration, or subsystem architecture
• Experience with requirements management and modeling tools such as JAMA, DOORS, Cameo, or similar tools
• Experience working across hardware, software, and firmware development throughout the lifecycle
• Familiarity with command and telemetry interfaces, power architectures, signal interfaces, timing, synchronization, and control logic
• Experience supporting integration and test, including troubleshooting electrical or controls-related issues at the subsystem or system level
• Strong ability to read, interpret, and develop electrical, interface, and system technical documentation
• Familiarity with aerospace development standards, environmental testing, and mission assurance practices

QUALIFICATIONS YOU'LL BRING AS SENIOR CONTROLS SYSTEMS ENGINEER II:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline
• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• 8+ years of engineering experience, including 3+ years directly supporting development programs and 2+ years in project, team, or technical leadership roles
• CAM and/or IPTL experience
• Demonstrated systems engineering experience with strong emphasis on electrical architecture, subsystem integration, and controls-focused system development
• Strong background in electrical architecture development for complex aerospace, payload, avionics, or instrument systems
• Demonstrated experience defining and managing electrical interfaces, control architectures, signal paths, and subsystem functional behavior across multiple subsystems
• Proven ability to lead requirements development, architecture trades, integration planning, and system verification for electrically complex systems
• Experience translating mission or customer needs into implementable electrical, functional, and controls architectures
• Experience with requirements management and modeling tools such as JAMA, DOORS, Cameo, or similar tools
• Experience with software and firmware development lifecycles as they relate to system architecture, controls implementation, and hardware/software integration
• Strong knowledge of how to interpret and develop electrical, hardware, software, and interface technical documentation
• Experience troubleshooting integrated hardware and software systems with ability to identify root cause across electrical, controls, and interface issues
• Experience with hardware interfaces, communications protocols, command and telemetry paths, timing, synchronization, and subsystem integration
• Experience with space environments and testing regimes including vibe, shock, radiation, thermal, EMI, or related qualification environments
• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards and practices
• Excellent task management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and deliver results within given constraints
• Ability to provide system-level technical direction from concept development through integration and delivery, with emphasis on electrical and controls architecture

QUALIFICATIONS YOU'LL BRING AS PRINCIPAL CONTROLS SYSTEMS ENGINEER:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, systems, or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline
• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• 12+ years of engineering experience, including 5+ years directly supporting development programs and 3+ years in technical or program leadership roles
• Deep experience leading system architecture for complex payload, instrument, avionics, or aerospace systems
• Recognized technical strength in electrical architecture, controls, interface management, and integration leadership
• Proven ability to own system-level technical direction from concept through delivery
• Experience leading major architecture trades, driving cross-discipline decisions, and resolving complex technical issues with program impact
• Strong background in requirements, interface control, verification strategy, and system qualification
• Demonstrated experience defining and managing electrical and controls interfaces across multiple subsystems and development teams
• Ability to translate mission needs and customer requirements into executable electrical, functional, and controls architectures
• Experience representing the technical baseline with customers, leadership, suppliers, and external stakeholders
• Ability to mentor engineers and shape engineering rigor, architecture practices, interface discipline, and integration approaches across multiple programs
• Strong understanding of aerospace standards, development lifecycle expectations, and mission assurance practices

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Current SSBI clearance
• EO/IR payload integration experience
• Experience with spacecraft bus interfaces, payload electrical integration, avionics architecture, or embedded electronics
• Experience with pointing, stabilization, gimbals, motion control, focus/control electronics, or other closed-loop control applications
• Experience defining or troubleshooting electrical architectures for sensors, actuators, motors, power systems, or embedded controllers
• Hands-on expertise leading troubleshooting and resolution of system-level electrical or controls-related issues
• Demonstrated experience working with minimal supervision in complex projects
• Experience in astronomy, physics, or remote sensing
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and explain complex implementation processes to other organization members
• Strong communication, task management, and cross-functional coordination skills

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.