Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Arizona
Software Systems Engineer jobs in Arizona are in strong and consistent demand, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, financial technology, and government contracting, with openings at every level from entry-level systems analyst through principal and staff engineer. Phoenix, Tucson, and the East Valley corridor around Chandler and Tempe account for the majority of hiring, anchored by established employers such as Raytheon Technologies, Intel, and General Dynamics. The most sought-after specialties in Arizona listings are embedded systems, systems integration, and MBSE, reflecting the state's deep aerospace and defense footprint. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 14+ Software Systems Engineer jobs
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
Rocket Lab's Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.
The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have 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 get to space — our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.
SENIOR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEER II
Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community 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, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.
As a Senior Software Systems Engineer II based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to design, develop, and test space-based electro-optical sensors. 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 software and drive the technical development of our Space Systems missions.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
- Support the design, integration, and development of software for space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms
- Understand and interpret overall system architecture, deriving and allocating software and firmware requirements to ensure consistency across interfaces and subsystems
- Understand the software/firmware development pipeline and SW/FW development process, from requirements through build, integration, test, and release
- Develop and maintain:
- Technical budgets for vehicle performance
- Software System requirements and verification techniques
- Simulations and analysis across vehicle functions
- Test methods and data analysis
- Provide technical oversight of system software architecture, interfaces, mission assurance, and compliance
- Assist with program and product management
- Develop, in collaboration with team members, interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents
- Support the development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms
- Plan and define software verification and validation (V&V) activities, including verification methods, test strategy, and success criteria to confirm alignment with program and customer requirements
- Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks across the software and firmware development lifecycle
- Execute software verification test campaigns on the flatsat, development unit, or flight unit, including test setup, dry runs, and formal verification runs
- Verify the correct software build and configuration are under test, confirming the as-tested configuration matches the intended verification
- Support authoring, derivation, and verification of software and firmware requirements, and maintain requirements traceability throughout the development lifecycle, addressing conflicts or gaps
- Participate in technical interchange meetings (TIMs) and represent the organization in project discussions with internal stakeholders and external partners
- Mentor other engineers on systems engineering, requirements, and verification and validation (V&V) methodologies
- Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed
QUALIFICATIONS YOU'LL BRING AS SENIOR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEER II:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (systems, software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
- Active Clearance
- 8+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry; with 3+ years directly supporting development projects and 2+ years in project or team leadership
- CAM and/or IPTL experience
- A strong knowledge of how to interpret organizational, software, and hardware technical documents
- Demonstrable experience in systems engineering, with a strong focus on developing, testing, and integrating with space or airborne instruments
- Experience with requirements management, workflow, and modeling tools such as JAMA, DOORS, JIRA, or Cameo
- Experience supporting development programs
- Familiarity with aerospace industry standards, regulations, and practices
- U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Master's or PhD in engineering (software or computer engineering)
- EO/IR payload integration experience
- Proficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent
- Experience with the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) from requirements development through systems operations and maintenance
- Knowledge of software interfaces and communications protocols
- Hands-on expertise leading troubleshooting and resolution of system-level issues
- Demonstrated experience working with minimal supervision in complex projects
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and explain complex implementation processes to other organization members
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.
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.
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
Rocket Lab's Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.
The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have 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 get to space — our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.
SENIOR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEER II
Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community 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, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.
As a Senior Software Systems Engineer II based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to design, develop, and test space-based electro-optical sensors. 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 software and drive the technical development of our Space Systems missions.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
- Support the design, integration, and development of software for space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms
- Understand and interpret overall system architecture, deriving and allocating software and firmware requirements to ensure consistency across interfaces and subsystems
- Understand the software/firmware development pipeline and SW/FW development process, from requirements through build, integration, test, and release
- Develop and maintain:
- Technical budgets for vehicle performance
- Software System requirements and verification techniques
- Simulations and analysis across vehicle functions
- Test methods and data analysis
- Provide technical oversight of system software architecture, interfaces, mission assurance, and compliance
- Assist with program and product management
- Develop, in collaboration with team members, interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents
- Support the development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms
- Plan and define software verification and validation (V&V) activities, including verification methods, test strategy, and success criteria to confirm alignment with program and customer requirements
- Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks across the software and firmware development lifecycle
- Execute software verification test campaigns on the flatsat, development unit, or flight unit, including test setup, dry runs, and formal verification runs
- Verify the correct software build and configuration are under test, confirming the as-tested configuration matches the intended verification
- Support authoring, derivation, and verification of software and firmware requirements, and maintain requirements traceability throughout the development lifecycle, addressing conflicts or gaps
- Participate in technical interchange meetings (TIMs) and represent the organization in project discussions with internal stakeholders and external partners
- Mentor other engineers on systems engineering, requirements, and verification and validation (V&V) methodologies
- Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed
QUALIFICATIONS YOU'LL BRING AS SENIOR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ENGINEER II:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (systems, software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or other technical engineering discipline)
- Active Clearance
- 8+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry; with 3+ years directly supporting development projects and 2+ years in project or team leadership
- CAM and/or IPTL experience
- A strong knowledge of how to interpret organizational, software, and hardware technical documents
- Demonstrable experience in systems engineering, with a strong focus on developing, testing, and integrating with space or airborne instruments
- Experience with requirements management, workflow, and modeling tools such as JAMA, DOORS, JIRA, or Cameo
- Experience supporting development programs
- Familiarity with aerospace industry standards, regulations, and practices
- U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Master's or PhD in engineering (software or computer engineering)
- EO/IR payload integration experience
- Proficiency in system modeling and analysis tools such as Cameo, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent
- Experience with the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) from requirements development through systems operations and maintenance
- Knowledge of software interfaces and communications protocols
- Hands-on expertise leading troubleshooting and resolution of system-level issues
- Demonstrated experience working with minimal supervision in complex projects
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and explain complex implementation processes to other organization members
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.
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.
See All 14 Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Arizona
Find roles in Arizona that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSoftware Systems Engineer Jobs by City in Arizona
Where Arizona roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Systems Engineer Job Market in Arizona
A snapshot from current Arizona openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware
What Arizona Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software systems engineer jobs across Arizona.
- Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related technical field
- Proficiency with systems engineering methodologies such as MBSE or model-based design tools
- Experience integrating hardware and software subsystems within a complex product architecture
- Familiarity with requirements management tools such as DOORS, JAMA, or similar platforms
- Active or eligibility for a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance preferred by most Arizona defense contractors
- Experience with verification and validation processes, including test planning and formal review cycles
Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Arizona: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software systems engineer in Arizona?
Most Arizona employers require at least a bachelor's degree in systems engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science. Arizona does not issue a state license specifically for software systems engineers, so the path runs through education, professional certifications such as the INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional, and hands-on project experience. Many candidates also pursue a Professional Engineer license through the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration if their work crosses into licensed engineering territory.
How much do software systems engineers make in Arizona?
Software systems engineers in Arizona earn a median of about $129,690 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $81,740 for the lowest 10% to over $178,500 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire software systems engineers in Arizona?
Employers hiring software systems engineers in Arizona right now include Raytheon, Honeywell Aerospace, and ASM, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Arizona's concentration of aerospace, defense, and semiconductor firms means the hiring pool is consistently anchored by large contractors and technology manufacturers with long-term operations in the Phoenix and Tucson metros.
Which Arizona cities have the most software systems engineer jobs?
Tucson, Phoenix, and Chandler have the most software systems engineer openings in Arizona. Phoenix's scale as a defense, fintech, and semiconductor hub drives the bulk of listings, while Tucson's concentration of Raytheon Technologies and University of Arizona research programs sustains consistent demand, and Tempe and Chandler pull in openings from Intel's campus and a growing cluster of engineering-intensive technology companies along the Loop 202 corridor.
Are there remote software systems engineer jobs in Arizona?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely software-focused roles because systems engineering often requires hands-on integration, lab work, and coordination with hardware teams on-site. About 22% of software systems engineer openings tied to Arizona are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to be concentrated in requirements analysis, architecture documentation, and program management tasks rather than bench-level integration work.
How can I get hired as a software systems engineer in Arizona with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an associate systems engineer or systems analyst role at one of Arizona's large defense contractors, where new-graduate programs at employers like Raytheon Technologies and General Dynamics are designed specifically for candidates without professional experience. A degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science is the baseline credential. Building a portfolio around a senior capstone project, a systems-focused internship at an Arizona university research lab, or an INCOSE student membership gives candidates a meaningful edge over peers without demonstrated systems thinking.
Where can I find and apply to software systems engineer jobs in Arizona?
You can find and apply to software systems engineer jobs in Arizona on Migrate Mate, which lists current Arizona openings across defense, semiconductor, fintech, and government contracting employers. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 14 Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Arizona
Find roles in Arizona that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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