Electrical Engineer I

Rocket Lab Corporation; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 89,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant

Company stock

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Health insurance

Dental and vision

Paid vacation and holidays

401(k) with company match

Onsite fitness centers

Stock discounts

Job summary

Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA, seeks an Electrical Engineer I to develop and test avionics hardware for robotics programs. You will work with engineers across disciplines through all stages, from requirements to production, and help push the boundaries of space technology.

The role emphasizes hardware design, rapid learning, and ownership of electronics subsystems in a high‑performance environment. A Bachelor’s in electrical or computer engineering is required, with FPGA and MCU experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering discipline.
• A strong background in analog electronics design.
• Proficiency performing circuit analyses in SPICE and Excel.
• Proficiency with basic electronic lab equipment, such as power supplies, oscilloscopes, DMMs, signal generators, and soldering irons.
• Experience with FPGA design in a professional or school environment.
• Experience with Microcontroller design in a professional or school environment.
• U.S. citizenship required, due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and test avionics hardware for Rocket Lab Robotics programs.
• Collaborate with engineers across disciplines through all design stages.
• Take ownership from requirements through prototyping, fabrication, testing, and production.
• Support electronics hardware design in fast-paced environments.

Skills

Analog electronics

Circuit analysis (SPICE, Excel)

FPGA design

Microcontroller design

Lab equipment operation

Citizenship requirement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

SPICE

Excel

Oscilloscopes

Job description

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

At Rocket Lab Robotics, we build robotic systems that push the boundaries of what's possible in space. From Mars-proven robotic arms to precision motion control systems for the most demanding environments in our solar system, our team delivers advanced electro-mechanical solutions for planetary exploration and various satellite programs. We've engineered hardware that has operated on the surface of Mars on NASA's Perseverance rover, supported lunar exploration through the CADRE rover program, and developed precision mechanisms for spacecraft subsystems including solar array drives, antenna gimbals, and optical payloads. As part of Rocket Lab, we combine the focus of small, dedicated robotics teams with the resources of a leading end-to-end space company, empowering some of the boldest missions in history. We're looking for people who take ownership and drive a problem from first principles all the way through manufacturing and delivery.

Electrical Engineer I

Rocket Lab Robotics specializes in high-performance robotic systems and precision mechanisms that enable the most ambitious space missions, including NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover and CADRE lunar rovers. Leveraging Mars-proven expertise from Motiv Space Systems, we deliver scalable, flight-proven solutions – such as robotic arms, motion control systems, and solar array drive assemblies (SADAs) – to support planetary exploration, satellite servicing, and national security missions.

Based at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA, the Electrical Engineer I you will participate in the development and test of avionics hardware for our robotics programs. You will work collaboratively with engineers of various disciplines and participate in all aspects of electrical hardware development, from requirements definition through design, prototyping, fabrication, testing, and production. We're looking for people who are passionate about robotics electrical hardware design, with a willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Gain experience in robotics and motor control applications.
• Gain experience in FPGA and Micro-Controller applications
• End to end ownership of Electronic Ground Support Equipment
• Schematic capture and PCB layout using Altium Designer
• Circuit analysis, including stress analysis and worst-case analysis
• PCBA design verification testing and system integration testing
• Production manufacturing support as needed

QUALIFICATIONS YOU'LL BRING AS ELECTRICAL ENGINEER I:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering discipline
• A strong background in analog electronics design
• Proficiency performing circuit analyses in SPICE and Excel
• Proficiency with basic electronic lab equipment, such as power supplies, oscilloscopes, DMMs, signal generators, and soldering irons
• Experience with FPGA design in a professional or school environment
• Experience with Microcontroller design in a professional or school environment
• U.S. citizenship required, due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience designing for space environments, including radiation impacts and mitigation
• Proficiency with board bring-up and debug
• Experience in creation of design verification test plans and test execution
• Experience in designing for high-reliability aerospace applications
• Experience designing rigid-flex PCBs and electromechanical design

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$89,350 - $115,025 USD

$82,400 - $103,000 USD

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here .

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Rocket Lab Corporation’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A \"disabled veteran\" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A \"recently separated veteran\" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An \"active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran\" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An \"Armed forces service medal veteran\" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.