Avionics Lead — Mission Control & Launch Operations

Rocket Lab Corporation; Wallops Island (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation in Wallops Island, VA seeks a Lead Test & Launch Operations Engineer – Avionics to oversee end-to-end testing, launch, and mission operations for Electron and Neutron vehicles. You will lead teams, manage projects, and ensure readiness of avionics systems.

You will develop procedures and supervise operational readiness reviews in a fast-paced environment. The role demands strong leadership, hands-on experience with avionics hardware and flight software, and a track record

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, computer, aerospace, software engineering, or other technical degree.
• 5-8+ years of engineering experience with avionics systems, RF systems, telemetry, flight software, or launch vehicle operations.
• Proficiency with avionics hardware, flight software systems, and ground station operations.
• Experience with high-reliability software systems and safety-critical aerospace software.
• Experience with RF systems, ground stations, telemetry systems, or avionics networking infrastructure.
• Demonstrated leadership competencies and ability to manage a team.
• Experience developing operational procedures, test plans, and mission simulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead avionics hardware, software, and ground station systems for Electron and Neutron launches.
• Operate Mission Control consoles during test campaigns, rehearsals, and launches.
• Develop CONOPS for avionics, flight software, and ground networks.
• Create and improve test plans, procedures, and checklists for avionics operations.
• Design HMIs for avionics monitoring and ground station control.
• Lead readiness reviews, training simulations, and mission rehearsals for avionics.
• Troubleshoot in real time and analyze data to resolve avionics and comms issues.
• Analyze post-test data to identify trends and improvements.
• Develop training programs and qualification matrices for console operators.
• Lead root-cause investigations and corrective actions for avionics anomalies.
• Advance Neutron avionics operations procedures and testing campaigns.

Skills

Avionics systems

RF systems

Telemetry

Flight software

Launch vehicle operations

Leadership

Operational readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical, computer, aerospace, software engineering

Tools

Ground station software

Mission Control experience

CONOPS development

Job description

Rocket Lab Corporation in Wallops Island, VA seeks a Lead Test & Launch Operations Engineer – Avionics to oversee end-to-end testing, launch, and mission operations for Electron and Neutron vehicles. You will lead teams, manage projects, and ensure readiness of avionics systems.

You will develop procedures and supervise operational readiness reviews in a fast-paced environment. The role demands strong leadership, hands-on experience with avionics hardware and flight software, and a track record