Avionics Test & Launch Lead — Mission Control

Rocket Lab; Wallops Island (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock purchase program

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Rocket Lab seeks a Lead Test & Launch Engineer – Avionics based at Launch Complex 3 in Wallops Island, VA. You will oversee end‑to‑end testing, launch, and mission operations for Electron and Neutron vehicles, coordinating across disciplines to ensure readiness for high‑cadence launches.

The role requires senior technical authority, development of training programs, and execution of mission simulations to drive continuous improvements in avionics operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, computer, aerospace, software engineering or other technical field.
• 5–8+ years of engineering experience with avionics, RF, telemetry, flight software, or launch operations.
• Experience with high‑reliability software and safety‑critical aerospace software.
• Experience with RF, ground stations, telemetry, or avionics networking.

Responsibilities

• Lead avionics hardware, software, and ground station systems for Electron and Neutron launch operations.
• Be the console operator in Mission Control for avionics during test campaigns 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, telemetry display, and ground station control.
• Lead readiness reviews, training simulations, and mission rehearsals.

Skills

Avionics systems

RF systems

Telemetry

Flight software

Ground station ops

Leadership

Education

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

Job description

Rocket Lab seeks a Lead Test & Launch Engineer – Avionics based at Launch Complex 3 in Wallops Island, VA. You will oversee end‑to‑end testing, launch, and mission operations for Electron and Neutron vehicles, coordinating across disciplines to ensure readiness for high‑cadence launches.

The role requires senior technical authority, development of training programs, and execution of mission simulations to drive continuous improvements in avionics operations.