Senior Analyst II​/Principal Analyst - Space Payloads; Secret Clearance

Position: Senior Analyst II/Principal Analyst - Space Payloads (Secret Clearance)

Senior Analyst II / Principal Analyst - Space Payloads (Secret Clearance)

Join Rocket Lab to apply for the Senior Analyst II/Principal Analyst - Space Payloads (Secret Clearance) role.

About Rocket Lab

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. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation, climate change mitigation, national security, and new technology demonstrations.

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 developing Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle, and our Space Systems business designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon, Mars, and the James Webb Space Telescope.

Space Systems

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we’re building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and subsystems such as solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. The team has enabled more than 1,700 missions for NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

Senior Analyst II / Principal Analyst – Space Payloads (Secret Clearance)

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission‑critical space domain and ISR challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Building on more than 20 years of electro‑optical and infrared systems innovation, Optical Systems delivers responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains. The Senior Analyst II/Principal Analyst, based in Tucson, AZ, works closely with design and systems engineering team members to provide quantitative technical guidance and performance assessment.

What

You’ll Get To Do

• Collaborate with researchers on projects related to machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computer vision
• Perform rapid prototyping and enhanced development to be integrated into operational systems
• Contribute strong programming ability to develop robust solutions for real‑world problems
• Validate, optimize, and deploy advanced exploitation algorithms
• Perform troubleshooting, bug fixes, and maintenance of existing and new code to ensure stability and robustness
• Guide/author data collection and analysis software
• Collaborate closely with firmware development and electronics interface control
• Design calibration and characterization experiments
• Use investigative and troubleshooting skills to assess issues and develop field‑based resolutions
• Work proactively to complete tasks with little direction
• Communicate effectively with project management, customers, and multidisciplinary team members
• Attend technical interchange meetings and represent the organization on project matters
• Provide status on assigned tasks and program schedules
• Review documents and resolve technical engineering and integration issues
• Manage time and resources to meet deadlines
• Support travel or off‑site work as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

You’ll Bring These Qualifications As Senior Analyst II

• Bachelor’s degree in science or another technical discipline
• Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• 8+ years of professional experience
• Ability to contribute to the completion of program and project milestones

You’ll Bring These Qualifications As Principal Analyst

• Bachelor’s degree in science or another technical discipline
• Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• 12+ years of professional experience
• Ability to contribute to the completion of program and project milestones

These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have

• Master’s or PhD in science or a technical discipline
• Hands‑on expertise with electro‑optical systems, imaging systems, light sources, or military/space payloads
• Working knowledge of MATLAB, Python, and C++ and expertise in computer interfacing techniques
• Exper…