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

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 Force. Whether 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 ELECTRICAL ENGINEER II

Rocket Lab Robotics specializes in high-performance robotic systems and precision mechanisms that enable the most ambitious space missions including NASAs Mars Perseverance Rover and CADRE lunar rovers. Leveraging Mars-proven expertise from Motiv Space Systems we deliver scalable flight-proven solutions such as robotic arms motion control systems and solar array drive assemblies (SADAs) to support planetary exploration satellite servicing and national security missions.

Based at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena CA as the Senior Electrical Engineer II you will participate in the development and test of avionics hardware for our robotics programs. 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. Were looking for people who are passionate about robotics electrical hardware design with a willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• End to end ownership of hardware for robotics and motor control applications
• Drive architecture decisions to advance our control algorithms
  • Work with FPGA and Micro-Controller systems
• Develop PCBA requirements in collaboration with other engineering disciplines
  • PCBA design verification testing and system integration testing
  • Own environmental tests including EMI/EMC TVAC Shock Vibe etc.
• Schematic capture and PCB layout using Altium Designer
• Oversight and mentorship of support engineers (layout analysis test etc.)
• Production manufacturing support as needed
• Support failure analysis and root-cause investigation for units in test integration or on-orbit operation.

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
• Experience in motor control applications
• Experience with analog signal chains
• Proficiency performing circuit analyses using SPICE
• Proficiency with board bring-up and debug

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience in FPGA firmware design with Verilog specifically creating IP from scratch
• Experience with Field-Oriented-Control
• Experience with switch mode power supplies
• Experience designing electronics for space environments including radiation impacts and mitigation including SEU/SEL impact and mitigation.
• Experience with environmental tests 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 with Librero
• Experience with parametric analysis or sensitivity analysis or worst-case analysis
• Experience with Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Experience designing rigid-flex PCBs and electromechanical design
• Experience with modeling systems such as Simulink

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements

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.