HITL Engineer II Spacecraft Test & Validation

Rocket Lab USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 101,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Top-tier medical plans

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

Flexible spending accounts

Paid parental leave

Disability and life insurance

401(k) company match

Subsidized EV charging

Onsite fitness centers

Discounted gym memberships

Complimentary snacks and beverages

50% merch store discount

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA in Long Beach, CA is hiring a HITL Engineer II to design, maintain, and operate HITL systems for spacecraft buses. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to verify performance, run launch-day simulations, and document test activities with diagrams and ICDs.

The role requires a Bachelor's in mechatronics/electronics/CS/aerospace, 2+ years in hardware or software engineering, and hands-on electronics testing experience.

Qualifications

• US citizenship required due to program requirements.
• Bachelor's degree in mechatronics, electronics, CS, aerospace or related field.
• 2+ years engineering experience with hardware or software development.
• Experience with electronics testing and test systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, operate, and maintain HITL systems for Rocket Lab spacecraft buses.
• Work hands-on with test and flight hardware across disciplines.
• Verify functionality and performance of spacecraft buses in cross-functional teams.
• Operate day-of-launch vehicle simulation platform for missions.
• Create and maintain technical docs: diagrams, ICDs, procedures, test reports.
• Analyze test results for pass/fail criteria and communicate findings.
• Troubleshoot root causes with internal teams, vendors, and customers.
• Review test plans and procedures; ensure documentation accuracy.
• Operate and capture data from HITL test equipment (DMMs, scopes, analyzers).

Skills

Python

C++

Linux

CI/CD

Git

NX

VeSys

RapidHarness

SolidWorks

Docker

Kubernetes

RF Systems

CAN

RS485/422/232

Test Rigs

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechatronics, electronics, CS, aerospace or related field

Master's in related field

Tools

DMMs

Oscilloscopes

Logic Analyzers

Spectrum Analyzers

SolidWorks

Job description

Rocket Lab USA in Long Beach, CA is hiring a HITL Engineer II to design, maintain, and operate HITL systems for spacecraft buses. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to verify performance, run launch-day simulations, and document test activities with diagrams and ICDs.

The role requires a Bachelor's in mechatronics/electronics/CS/aerospace, 2+ years in hardware or software engineering, and hands-on electronics testing experience.