Senior Electrical Engineer II

Rocket Lab Space Systems

Role Overview

Hardware Design and Architecture

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

Requirements and Verification

• Develop PCBA requirements through 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 mission-specific testing.
• Support failure analysis and root-cause investigations for units 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 production manufacturing through DFM reviews, yield improvement, and process optimization.
• 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-of-paper design concepts.
• Experience designing PCBAs with FPGAs.
• Knowledge of processors, FPGAs, switch-mode power supplies, communication interfaces, and analog instrumentation.
• Strong background in analog electronics design.
• Proficiency performing circuit analyses using SPICE and Excel.
• U.S. citizenship is stated as 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 radiation effects and mitigation, high-reliability aerospace applications, EMI/EMC testing, Altium Designer, PCBA verification and validation, rigid-flex PCBs, FPGA design, or ARM embedded software.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a dynamic environment and manage competing priorities.

Work Environment

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

Work Authorization

• U.S. government space technology export regulations may require U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, qualifying refugee or asylum status, or applicable government authorizations.