Senior UX Design Engineer III

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 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 rockethas 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.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab were not just launching rockets were 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 1700 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 its 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 UX DESIGN ENGINEER I/II

Based out of our site in Littleton CO Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior UX Design Engineer I/II to lead the design and development of intuitive mission critical user interfaces that support spacecraft operations mission planning and ground systems this role you will bridge the gap between design and engineering transforming complex aerospace workflows into elegant efficient and highly usable digital tools.

You will collaborate closely with software engineers systems engineers mission operators and product teams to define user needs prototype solutions and deliver polished production ready UI components. Your work will directly support national security missions interplanetary exploration and next generation space systems.

This is a high impact role for someone who thrives at the intersection of UX design frontend engineering and human machine interaction.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Lead UX design efforts for mission operations tools spacecraft command interfaces and engineering software
• Translate complex aerospace workflows into intuitive user experiences
• Build interactive prototypes and front-end components to validate design concepts
• Partner with software engineering teams to ensure designs are technically feasible and implemented with high fidelity
• Conduct user research and usability testing with mission operators and engineering teams
• Develop and maintain design systems UI standards and reusable component libraries
• Advocate for user centered design across the Space Systems organization
• Contribute to the overall product strategy for ground and flight software tools

(Please note: This position can be hired at the Senior UX Design Engineer I or Senior UX Design Engineer II level.)

QUALIFICATIONS YOULL BRING AS SENIOR UX DESIGN ENGINEER I:

• Bachelors degree in UX Design HCI Computer Science Engineering or related field
• 5 years of experience in UX design UX engineering or front-end development
• Strong portfolio demonstrating complex system design dashboards or technical interfaces
• Proficiency with modern design tools (Figma Sketch Adobe XD etc.)
• Experience building prototypes or UI components using HTML/CSS/JavaScript or modern frameworks
• Ability to translate technical requirements into user centered design solutions
• Experience designing information-dense displays with very large data sets
• Background in designing user interfaces with interactive features to drive user engagement
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements

QUALIFICATIONSYOULL BRING AS SENIOR UX DESIGN ENGINEER II:

• Bachelors degree in UX Design HCI Computer Science Engineering or related field
• 8 years of experience in UX design UX engineering or front-end development
• Strong portfolio demonstrating complex system design dashboards or technical interfaces
• Proficiency with modern design tools (Figma Sketch Adobe XD etc.)
• Experience building prototypes or UI components using HTML/CSS/JavaScript or modern frameworks
• Ability to translate technical requirements into user centered design solutions
• Experience designing information-dense displays with very large data sets
• Background in designing user interfaces with interactive features to drive user engagement
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATION WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience designing interfaces for aerospace robotics defense or other mission critical systems
• Familiarity with spacecraft operations telemetry visualization or command/control systems
• Experience with frontend frameworks (Angular React Vue TypeScript)
• Background in human machine interface (HMI) design
• Experience working with complex data visualization or real time systems
• Experience collaborating with software engineering teams in an agile environment
• Strong understanding of usability principles interaction design and information architecture

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision peripheral vision depth perception and the ability to focus
• Regularly required to sit use hands and fingers operate computer keyboard and controls and communicate verbally and in writing
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings
• Occasional exposure to dust fumes and moderate levels of noise

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats 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 others 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 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 hereITAR Regulations.