Senior Test Site Operations Engineer

Rocket Lab USA

Mississippi

JOB DETAILS
JOB TYPE
Full-time
SKILLS
Aerospace Engineering, Best Practices, Cadence, Climate Change, Cross-Functional, Demand Forecasting/Planning, Forecasting, Industry Standards, Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, Oil and Gas, Performance Metrics, Product Demonstration, Product/Service Launch, Project Tracking, Project/Program Management, Quality Assurance Methodology, Resource Management, Risk Analysis, Root Cause Analysis, Service Delivery, Space Operations, Strategic Planning, System Operations, System Test, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Technical Leadership, Test Design, Testing, Time Management, Wheel/Front-End Loader
LOCATION
Mississippi
POSTED
Today
Senior Test Site Operations EngineerStennis Space Center, MSRocket 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 and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting 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, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab's proven execution history with the Electron program. If you're interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re-usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!The Senior Site Operations Engineer is a critical individual contributor role at our Stennis engine test facility, responsible for optimizing test operations, day to day program management and strategic planning, aligning resources to priorities, and assessing progress toward test site targets. Reporting directly to the Site Director, this person will proactively identify and address operational challenges, implement best practices, derive actionable information from data, and synchronize work priorities across the test facility to ensure all necessary resources (parts, people, and plans) are in place to meet Neutron program objectives.What You'll Get To Do:Coordinate test planning with key leads from design, test ops, GSE, technician teams as well as external parties to support a test cadence spanning 2 shifts, 7 days a week.Directed program management for weekly and monthly schedules, including forecasting staffing and headcount needs to ensure resource alignment with test cadence.Lead daily meetings to align engineering, operations, and safety teams.Develop key performance measures and identify decision points and actions to optimize site operations, resourcing and schedules to meet demand, ensuring measured parameters correlate with overall Neutron program objectives.Identify operational challenges within the organization, lead problem formulation, determine root cause, and implement creative and effective solutions.Identify potential risks and obstacles in the test process and implement mitigation strategies.You'll Bring These Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline10+ years of experience with rocket systems test operations, flight test, oil and gas production operations or other relevant industry.Demonstrated experience coordinating cross-functional teams and managing complex projects within a rapidly evolving environment.These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have:Masters degree in an engineering disciplineDirect experience with liquid natural gas or liquid methane as a rocket propellantBackground of technical expertise in sub-component to full flight system testingSoftware development for data acquisition and control systemsExperience with managing modest technical programs for cost, schedule and performance using industry-standard tools.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 areasWhat 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.

About the Company

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Rocket Lab USA