Senior Electrical Engineer II

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 humanitys 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 Labs 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 1700 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 its 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 ELECTRICAL 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 Electrical Engineer II for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Chantilly VA you will have the opportunity to support the development and test of avionics hardware for our electro-optical optical this role you will work collaboratively with engineers of various disciplines and participate in all aspects of electrical hardware development from requirements definition through design prototyping fabrication testing and production. To be successful in this role you must be passionate about avionics electrical hardware design with a willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects delivering on the impossible and making an impact on the future of space!

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

Hardware Design & Architecture

• Own complete lifecycle of avionics hardware for command and control of electro-optical systems
• Lead architecture decisions to advance EO sensor capabilities across LEO GEO and Cis-Lunar missions
  • Design and integrate complex electronics including FPGA microcontroller low-noise ADC/DAC and VPX systems at CCA/module level
  • Develop Payload level designs integrating motor controllers processing units imagers and cryptographic devices
• Perform schematic capture and PCBA layout using Altium Designer

Requirements & Verification

• Develop PCBA requirements through cross-functional collaboration with systems mechanical thermal optical and software teams
• Plan and execute design verification testing and system integration testing
• Own environmental qualification programs including EMI/EMC TVAC shock vibration and other mission-specific tests
• Support failure analysis and root-cause investigations for units in test integration or on-orbit operations

Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide technical oversight and mentorship to junior engineers and support staff (layout analysis test technicians)
• Interface with suppliers manufacturing partners and internal stakeholders
• Support production manufacturing including DFM reviews yield improvement and process optimization
• Participate in design reviews and present technical recommendations to leadership

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering discipline
• 8 years of electrical hardware design experience
• Able to develop blank sheet of paper design concepts
• Experience in PCBA design with FPGAs
• Knowledge with processors FPGAs switch mode power supplies communication interfaces and analog instrumentation
• A strong background in analog electronics design
• Proficiency performing circuit analyses using SPICE and Excel
• S. citizenship is required due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Masters or PhD in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering discipline
• Proficiency with basic electronic lab equipment such as power supplies oscilloscopes DMMs signal generators soldering irons etc.
• Experience designing electronics for space environments including radiation impacts and mitigation including SEU/SEL impact and mitigation
• Experience designing for high-reliability aerospace applications including TVAC Shock Vibe etc.
• Experience with EMI/EMC testing
• Experience with Altium Designer in schematic capture and layout
• Proficiency with PCBA verification and validation
• Experience designing rigid-flex PCBs and electromechanical design familiarity in general
• Experience with FPGA design and embedded software development for ARM core processors
• Demonstrated success in working in a dynamic environment and ability to manage 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.

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 here ITAR Regulations.