Senior Electrical Engineer II

About Rocket Lab Optical Systems

Role Overview

Hardware Design and Architecture

• Own the lifecycle of avionics hardware for electro-optical system command and control.
• Lead architecture decisions for electro-optical sensors across LEO, GEO, and cislunar missions.
• Design and integrate FPGAs, microcontrollers, low-noise ADC/DACs, and VPX systems.
• Develop payload designs integrating motor controllers, processors, imagers, and cryptographic devices.
• Perform schematic capture and PCBA layout using Altium Designer.

Requirements and Verification

• Develop PCBA requirements with systems, mechanical, thermal, optical, and software teams.
• Plan and execute design verification and system integration testing.
• Own environmental qualification programs including EMI/EMC, TVAC, shock, and vibration.
• Support failure analysis and root-cause investigations for hardware in test, integration, or on-orbit operations.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Provide technical oversight and mentorship to junior engineers and support staff.
• Interface with suppliers, manufacturing partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Support DFM reviews, yield improvement, and process optimization in production manufacturing.
• Participate in design reviews and present technical recommendations to leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or another engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of electrical hardware design experience.
• Ability to develop blank-sheet design concepts.
• PCBA design experience with FPGAs and knowledge of processors, power supplies, communication interfaces, and analog instrumentation.
• Strong analog electronics design background.
• Proficiency with circuit analysis using SPICE and Excel.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or another engineering discipline.
• Experience with electronic laboratory equipment, space-environment electronics, radiation mitigation, high-reliability aerospace hardware, EMI/EMC testing, or Altium Designer.
• Experience with PCBA verification and validation, rigid-flex PCBs, electromechanical design, FPGA design, or ARM-core embedded software.

Work Environment

• The role may require prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work.
• The role may include occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Compensation

• Base pay for the Virginia position is listed at $134,300 to $201,350 USD.
• Final compensation depends on individual qualifications and experience.
• The compensation package may include company stock, cash incentives, discounted stock purchase, benefits, and other perks.