Senior Electrical Engineer I/II

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems. 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 provided reliable access to orbit since 2018, becoming one of the most frequently launched rockets in the world. Neutron will be our next rocket on the launch pad, an advanced 13-tonne payload class, reusable rocket to launch the mega constellations of the future. Our space systems business includes our extensive line of satellites and components that have enabled more than 1,700 missions including the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA Psyche Mission, Artemis I, Mars Ingenuity helicopter, and more.  

Join our pioneering team and launch your career to new heights!

SPACE SYSTEMS

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team is responsible for every satellite and satellite component made by Rocket Lab: from complete satellites destined for missions to the Moon and Mars, to the individual components and subsystems that make up a satellite like solar panels, flight software, reaction wheels and star trackers, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team is made up of engineers, technicians, and designers who design, create, and put together our own satellites for missions across the commercial, government, and defense sectors, or who build and assemble satellite hardware and software that supports other satellite missions.

SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER I/II

Based at Rocket Lab’s site in Littleton, CO, the Senior Electrical Engineer I/II will participate in the development and test of avionics hardware for our spacecraft 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. As an engineer on the spacecraft avionics development team, you will have frequent opportunities to test and operate your systems on-orbit.

(Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Electrical Engineer I or Senior Electrical Engineer II level)

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO: 

• Develop PCBA requirements in collaboration with other engineering disciplines
• Schematic capture and PCB layout using Altium Designer
• Circuit analysis, including power, tolerance, and reliability related
• PCBA design verification testing and system integration testing
• Production manufacturing support as needed

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER I:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering discipline
• 5+ years of electrical hardware design experience, including schematic capture and PCB layout
• Experience with analog and digital electronics design
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER II:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering discipline
• 8+ years of electrical hardware design experience, including schematic capture and PCB layout
• Experience with analog and digital electronics design
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Master’s or PhD in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering discipline
• Proficiency with Altium Designer for schematic capture and layout of complex PCBs
• Proficiency with basic electronic lab equipment such as power supplies, oscilloscopes, DMMs, signal generators, soldering irons, etc.
• Knowledge with processors, FPGAs, switch mode power supplies, communications interfaces, and analog instrumentation
• Experience designing for space environments, including radiation impacts and mitigation
• Experience designing for high-reliability aerospace applications
• Experience designing rigid-flex PCBs and electromechanical design familiarity in general
• Experience with FPGA design and embedded software development for ARM core processors
• Proficiency performing circuit analyses in SPICE and Excel
• Demonstrated success working in a dynamic environment and ability to manage competing priorities

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vis