Avionics Design Manager

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.

AVIONICS DESIGN MANAGER

Based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Avionics Design Manager is responsible for the management and execution of electronic design engineering activities for: spacecraft avionics, spacecraft/satellite buses, launch vehicle avionics, and specialist ground support equipment components. This position will report to the Director of Systems & Mission Architecture, and it has significant technical requirements for electronic circuit design, PCB design, electromechanical design, and electronic testing for mission-critical and safety-critical circuits that are optimized for reliability, performance, mass, and regulatory compliance.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Lead the overall design, development, test, and delivery of all major avionics components for spacecraft missions
• Manage the overall design of spacecraft avionics architectures across various orbital regimes
• Manage the overall design, development, test, and delivery of on-orbit operations systems and processes for spacecraft missions
• Manage the core avionics design team and work with program managers and systems engineers to facilitate design, development, test, and delivery of all major avionics components for spacecraft missions
• Work with subcontractors and vendors
• Conduct performance reviews for the avionics team

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or other engineering discipline
• 8+ years of experience with hardware development or electronics test engineering
• Experience with electronic circuits, design principles, and SMT manufacturing techniques
• Experience with design and implementation of high-speed communications interfaces, both inter-board and intra-board, such as SPI, I2C, SpaceWire, CANBUS, Serial, Ethernet, LVDS, and MII

 THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Master’s or PhD in electrical engineering or other engineering discipline
• Experience with analog sub-circuit and board design, specifically in signal conditioning, ADCs, voltage references, voltage/current sensing, and temperature measurement via Thermocouples or RTDs
• Experience with high-speed sub-circuit and board design, inclusive of DDR or SDRAM memory technologies, and FPGA/SoC interfaces
• Experience designing hardware from concept through production
• Understanding and experience in environmental design testing, such as vibration, shock, thermal, and TVAC
• Understanding of key, avionics, spacecraft, launch vehicle and flight termination systems regulations
• Experience in design of high-reliability electrical systems for spacecraft, flight termination systems, or launch vehicles
• Proficiency with programming languages, scripting tools, and automation (C/C++, Python preferred)
• Demonstrated success working in a dynamic environment with multiple priorities
• Demonstrated success meeting aggressive development schedules

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the California Equal Pay for Equal Wo