Lead Avionics Automation Test Engineer — Space Systems

Rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity and stock options

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Rocket Lab seeks a Senior Avionics Automation Test Engineer II to join our Space Systems team in Long Beach, CA. You will architect and lead test automation across spacecraft programs, developing robust validation workflows for hardware and software while mentoring engineers.

You’ll influence test infrastructure, telemetry, and data management, contributing to core platform development and automated testing ecosystems. Base salary with equity is offered, along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in space systems, ideally with spacecraft test, systems, or spacecraft software background.
• 8+ years of professional programming experience with Python in distributed applications.
• Strong Linux systems knowledge and command-line proficiency.
• Experience mentoring and technical leadership other engineers.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline.
• Willingness to obtain and maintain a top secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Architect and lead the deployment and utilization of our internal test automation platform for future spacecraft programs.
• Own test automation for Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) team test campaigns across the entire program life cycle.
• Develop, review, and maintain automated test processes for spacecraft hardware and software validation, establishing best practices and coding standards.
• Integrate and automate test equipment and spacecraft interfaces into the test platform, making architectural decisions on telemetry, command, and data management.
• Contribute to core platform development, including backend services and test framework capabilities.

Skills

Space systems experience

Python programming

Linux

Mentoring & leadership

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Top secret clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical field

Tools

RobotFramework

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Rocket Lab seeks a Senior Avionics Automation Test Engineer II to join our Space Systems team in Long Beach, CA. You will architect and lead test automation across spacecraft programs, developing robust validation workflows for hardware and software while mentoring engineers.

You’ll influence test infrastructure, telemetry, and data management, contributing to core platform development and automated testing ecosystems. Base salary with equity is offered, along with comprehensive benefits.