Lab Manager and Technician

Rocket Lab; Great Falls Crossing (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in space innovation is looking for a Lab Manager and Technician to oversee lab operations and ensure compliance with safety standards. Additionally, an Embedded Controls Engineer role is available designing embedded systems, playing a vital part in the success of precision aerospace projects. Ideal candidates will have significant laboratory experience and be committed to delivering high-quality technology solutions.

Benefits

Open Time Off

Paid Parental Leave

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401k Matching

Health Savings Account

Dependent Care FSA

Wellness Stipend

Work From Home Stipend

Life Insurance

Long-term Disability plans

Qualifications

• 10+ years in a laboratory environment with supervisory experience.
• Proficiency in cable assembly and soldering is crucial.
• Understanding of environmental testing relevant to space applications.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day lab operations and maintain equipment.
• Oversee payload assembly and testing for high quality production.
• Design and implement embedded control algorithms for aerospace projects.

Skills

Cable assembly

Soldering

Environmental testing

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Scout is building a new way to see and operate in space: with a new paradigm of data empowering every satellite to make space safer. We are a rapidly-growing team; we are deploying real solutions to orbit over the next 2 years; and our work will transform the face of spaceflight. We are looking for people that bring excitement and energy to our organization, are curious and eager to learn, and want to help drive our programs forward.

As a Lab Manager and Technician, you will manage the lab's day-to-day operations by installing and maintaining equipment, helping develop assembly and test procedures, overseeing payload assembly, performing component- and system-level functional and performance testing, and troubleshooting systems. This role involves hands-on assembly, integration, testing, data collection, and compliance reporting for spaceborne optical payloads, ensuring high-quality production and traceability.

Responsibilities

• Build out and manage new optomechanical payload integration and test facility
• Work with engineering design team to develop and implement documentation and procedures
• Oversee end-to-end payload builds, ensuring high quality production and traceability
• Provide technical oversight for all lab activities, including inventory management, equipment maintenance, payload assembly, functional and performance testing, and shipping/receiving.
• Maintain compliance with safety regulations and industry standards

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years in a laboratory environment, with at least 3 years in a supervisory role
• Proficiency in cable assembly and soldering
• Strong experience with environmental testing relevant to space applications.
• Strong experience fabricating customized packaging/transport solutions
• Experience working in a clean room environment
• Experience with inventory management, shipping, and receiving
• Strong communication and teamwork skills to support collaboration with engineers and other technicians
• Eligible to hold a security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Forklift operator
• 15+ years in a laboratory environment, with at least 5 years in a supervisory role
• Proficiency with environmental testing relevant to space applications
• Experience with quality management standards, such as AS9100
• Experience with optical system build, including alignment, focusing, and calibration
• Experience machining parts, such as test mounts and jigs, using a mill and lathe
• Strong experience with inventory management, shipping, and receiving

Scout is building a new way to see and operate in space: with a new paradigm of data empowering every satellite to make space safer. We are a rapidly-growing team; we are deploying real solutions to orbit over the next 2 years; and our work will transform the face of spaceflight. We are looking for people that bring excitement and energy to our organization, are curious and eager to learn, and want to help drive our programs forward.

As an Embedded Controls Engineer, you will design, develop, and optimize embedded control systems for our aerospace projects. Your work will ensure precision, reliability, and performance in mission-critical systems, directly contributing to the success of Scout’s on-orbit optomechanical sensors.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement embedded control algorithms for precision optical systems, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.
• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers to drive system architecture
• Conduct simulations, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and validation of control systems to ensure compliance with aerospace standards.
• Analyze system performance, troubleshoot issues, and optimize control systems for efficiency and scalability.
• Maintain clear, detailed documentation of designs, code, and testing procedures.
• Ensure designs meet regulatory and safety requirements for aerospace systems.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Proficiency in embedded programming (C, C++, Python) and real-time operating systems (RTOS).
• Strong understanding of control theory, signal processing, and system modeling.
• 3+ years of experience in embedded systems or control engineering roles.
• Familiarity with hardware-software integration and debugging tools (e.g., oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, debuggers).
• Experience with motor control and/or precision pointing and tracking applications
• Hands-on experience with integrating and testing electromechanical systems in a lab environment
• Eligible to hold a security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in embedded systems or control engineering roles.
• Experience with space system electronics and controls
• Experience with optical or RF systems
• Deep expertise with motor control and/or precision pointing and tracking applications

Benefits

• Open Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• 401k Matching
• Health Savings Account, Dependent Care FSA
• Wellness Stipend
• Work From Home Stipend
• Life Insurance
• Long-term Disability plans

Don't fulfill all the qualifications listed above? If you still feel like you might be a good fit, please feel free to APPLY ANYWAY. We believe in a well-rounded team, and this sometimes means that someone with out-of-context knowledge can contribute just as well as someone with very explicit alignment with our capabilities needs stated.

Our positions are based in the Reston, Virginia area. This is an in-person opportunity.

Scout Space Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. To conform to US Government space technology export regulations, applicants must be a US citizen, lawful permanent resident of the US, a protected individual as defined by 8 USC 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorization from the US Department of State.