Lead, Test & Launch Operations Engineer - Avionics

rocketlab; Wallops Island (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Wallops Island, VA, seeks a Lead, Test & Launch Engineer - Avionics to oversee end-to-end testing, launch, and mission operations for Electron and Neutron vehicles. You will manage teams, ensure readiness, and coordinate cross-disciplinary activities across mission control and lab environments.

As a senior leader, you will develop training programs, conduct readiness reviews, and act as the primary technical authority for avionics during critical operations, while driving process

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, computer, aerospace, software engineering, or other technical field.
• 5+ years of engineering experience with avionics systems, RF systems, telemetry, flight software, or launch vehicle operations.
• Proficiency with avionics hardware, flight software systems, and ground station operations.
• Experience with high-reliability software systems and safety-critical aerospace software.
• Experience with RF systems, ground stations, telemetry systems, or avionics networking infrastructure.
• Demonstrated leadership competencies, especially change management, conflict resolution, knowing when to elevate/request help, and effectively managing a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead avionics hardware, software, and ground station systems for Electron and Neutron launch operations.
• Serve as console operator for avionics systems during test campaigns, rehearsals, and launch operations.
• Develop and maintain CONOPS for avionics systems, flight software, and ground networks.
• Create and improve test plans, procedures, and checklists for avionics operations.
• Design and implement HMIs for avionics monitoring, telemetry display, and ground station control.
• Lead readiness reviews, training simulations, and mission rehearsals for avionics operations.
• Perform real-time troubleshooting and data analysis during live operations to resolve avionics and comms issues.
• Conduct post-test and post-launch data analysis to identify trends and improvements.

Skills

Avionics hardware

Flight software

Ground station operations

Leadership

Operational leadership

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical, computer, aerospace, software engineering, or other technical degree

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

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.

NEUTRON

Neutron is a medium-lift launch vehicle being developed by Rocket Lab, a publicly traded end-to-end space company. The rocket can deliver the mega constellations of tomorrow, enable interplanetary payloads, and support human spaceflight. As a reusable platform, Neutron will deliver a very cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab's proven history with Electron - the second most launched rocket, worldwide, in 2024. If you're interested in joining an incredible team in a fast-paced and rewarding environment, this is your opportunity.

HASTE

HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) is a specialized variant of Rocket Lab's proven Electron launch vehicle, designed to support hypersonic flight testing and research missions. Operating from Rocket Lab's Launch Complex 3 at Wallops Island, Virginia, Electron HASTE provides a unique capability to deliver hypersonic test vehicles to the required flight conditions for cutting-edge aerodynamic and propulsion research. The program represents an exciting evolution of the Electron platform, supporting critical national defense and aerospace research objectives while maintaining Rocket Lab's commitment to rapid, reliable launch operations.

Lead, Test & Launch Engineer - Avionics

Based out of Rocket Lab's Launch Complex 3 in Wallops Island, VA, the Lead Test and Launch Operations Engineer are responsible for the end-to-end testing, launch, and mission operations of Electron and Neutron launch vehicles, including the configuration and operation of related facilities and infrastructure. As a senior operational leader, you will oversee teams of engineers, manage operational projects, and ensure the readiness and capability of your discipline area. You will develop training programs, conduct operational readiness reviews, and serve as the primary technical authority for your systems during mission-critical operations. In this role, you will coordinate across disciplines to resolve complex issues, drive process improvements, and ensure operational procedures and infrastructure scale to support an increasing launch cadence. The Lead Test and Launch Operations Engineer balances time between Mission Control operations, team leadership, and strategic planning for future operational capabilities.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Lead and manage a team of Engineers responsible for avionics hardware, software, and ground station systems for Electron and Neutron launch operations
• Work in Mission Control as the console operator for avionics systems during test campaigns, rehearsals, and launch operations
• Develop and maintain Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for avionics systems, flight software, and ground networks
• Create and continuously improve test plans, operational procedures, and checklists for avionics operations
• Design and implement Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) for avionics monitoring, telemetry display, and ground station control
• Lead operational readiness reviews, training simulations, and mission rehearsals for avionics operations
• Perform real-time troubleshooting and data analysis during live operations to resolve avionics and communication system anomalies
• Conduct post-test and post-launch data analysis to identify trends, anomalies, and improvement opportunities
• Develop comprehensive training programs and qualification matrices to ensure operators are prepared for console positions
• Lead structured root-cause analysis and corrective action programs for avionics anomalies
• Drive the development of Neutron avionics operations procedures and testing campaigns
• Responsible for leading teams of engineers, managing operational projects, and ensuring the overall readiness and capability of their discipline area.
• Develop training programs, conduct operational readiness reviews, and serve as the primary technical authority for their systems during mission-critical operations

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, computer, aerospace, software engineering, or other technical degree
• 5+ years of engineering experience with avionics systems, RF systems, telemetry, flight software, or launch vehicle operations
• Demonstrated proficiency with avionics hardware, flight software systems, and ground station operations
• Experience with high-reliability software systems and safety- critical aerospace software
• Experience with RF systems, ground stations, telemetry systems, or avionics networking infrastructure
• Demonstrated leadership competencies, especially change management, conflict resolution, knowing when to elevate/request help, and effectively managing a team
• Understanding