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Practising for the listing Senior Systems Engineer I. Its requirements are filled in below. When you have an answer you like, paste it with your CV in Career Mirror to see which of the job's skills it shows.

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Senior Systems Engineer I
ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

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 SYSTEMS ENGINEER I

We are currently seeking a Senior Systems Engineer I for our systems engineering team based out of Long Beach, CA. This team supports our Space Systems division, and lead cutting-edge programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers. Systems engineers are responsible for the development and maintenance of technical budgets, requirements definition, test planning and execution, and overall management of the systems engineering process. They also work hands-on with flight hardware, and drive the technical development of our Space Systems missions.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Develop and maintain:

• Technical budgets for vehicle performance

• System requirements and verification techniques

• Simulations and analysis across vehicle functions

• Test methods and data analysis

• Lead and own technical development of spacecraft missions

• Assist with program and product management

• Develop, in collaboration with team members, interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents

QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS SENIOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER I:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)

• 5+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry

• Experience supporting satellite or spacecraft development programs

• U.S citizenship required due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Master’s or PhD in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)

• Active TS/SCI clearance

• Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their associated components, including: attitude determination and control (ADCS), electrical power systems (EPS), space-ground communications, on-orbit command and data handling (C&DH), and thermal control

• Thorough understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics

• Experience with MATLAB, Python, and STK

• Experience with requirement management tools such as JAMA or DOORS

• Experience with satellite operations

• Experience with testing electrical subsystems and assemblies, thermal vacuum or random vibration, and hardware-in-the loop (HITL) testing

• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing priorities

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.
Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package , giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)
$124,000 — $170,500 USD

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here .

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. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.

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What this posting asks for

Level: Senior — The title says "Senior".

Main responsibilities

Test methods and data analysis
Lead and own technical development of spacecraft missions
Assist with program and product management
Develop, in collaboration with team members, interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents

Competencies an interviewer will look for

Technical skill Core
In the posting: “Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, li…” · “We are currently seeking a Senior Systems Engineer I for our systems engineering team based out of Long Beach, CA.” · “Systems engineers are responsible for the development and maintenance of technical budgets, requirements definition, test planning and execution, and overall…”
Show it by: Names the tools, languages or systems used and how; Explains a technical choice and its trade-off.
Planning and organisation Core
In the posting: “Systems engineers are responsible for the development and maintenance of technical budgets, requirements definition, test planning and execution, and overall…” · “Ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing priorities” · “Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical pla…”
Show it by: Shows how priorities were set when everything was urgent; Mentions deadlines met and how.
Data and analysis Core
In the posting: “Simulations and analysis across vehicle functions” · “Test methods and data analysis” · “Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their associated components, including: attitude determination and control (ADCS), electrical power systems (E…”
Show it by: Uses a number to describe the situation or the result; Explains what the data showed and what was done with it.
Teamwork and collaboration Core
In the posting: “Develop, in collaboration with team members, interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents” · “It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible.”
Show it by: Says what they did inside a team, not only what 'we' did; Shows how a disagreement was handled.
Ownership and accountability Core
In the posting: “Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s …” · “As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.”
Show it by: Takes a task from start to finish without being chased; Owns a mistake and what was changed after it.
Attention to detail and quality Core
In the posting: “Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, li…” · “Experience with testing electrical subsystems and assemblies, thermal vacuum or random vibration, and hardware-in-the loop (HITL) testing”
Show it by: Gives an example of an error caught before it caused harm; Names the check or standard they used.
Communication Supporting
In the posting: “Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their associated components, including: attitude determination and control (ADCS), electrical power systems (E…”
Show it by: Adapts the message to the listener; Gives an example of explaining something clearly in writing or speech.
Customer focus Supporting
In the posting: “This team supports our Space Systems division, and lead cutting-edge programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers.”
Show it by: Puts the customer's need in their own words; Shows a result for the customer, not only for the company.
Adaptability and learning Supporting
In the posting: “Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical pla…”
Show it by: Describes learning something new quickly and using it; Shows a change of plan and how they adjusted.
Stakeholder management Supporting
In the posting: “The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency…”
Show it by: Shows how they aligned people with different goals; Explains how they handled a 'no' from someone senior.

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Practice questions

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You have ten feature requests and capacity for three. How do you choose? Product management
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How do you decide whether a feature you launched worked? Product management
Tell me about a launch that involved several teams. What was your role? Product management
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Give an example of a mistake you caught before it caused a problem.
Tell me about a time you taught someone how to do something.
Describe a time you took the lead without being asked.
Tell me about a time you had to explain something complicated in simple terms.
Describe a process you improved.
Do you have any questions for us?
Why do you want to work here?
Why is there a gap in your employment? Difficult question
Why did you leave your last job? Difficult question
Why are you changing careers? Difficult question
What is your greatest weakness? Difficult question
What are your salary expectations? Difficult question
You seem overqualified for this role. Why do you want it? Difficult question
Improper-question practice: How old are you? / Do you have children? / Where are you from originally?
A customer is angry about a delay you did not cause. What do you do?
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Tell me about a time you could not give a customer what they wanted.
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Tell me about a time a shipment or delivery went wrong.
How do you make sure safety rules are followed on a busy shift?
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Tell me about a time you had to enter or check a lot of data accurately.
Tell me about a sale or agreement you are proud of.
A prospect says your price is too high. How do you respond?
How do you keep your pipeline organised?
Tell me about a technical problem you solved on your own.
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Walk me through how you would check whether a report's numbers are right.