Principal Electrical Engineer

rocketlab; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Optical Systems is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer at our Chantilly, VA site to lead avionics hardware development and test for electro-optical systems. You will drive architectures and mentor teams across disciplines, delivering mission-critical electronics for space missions.

Join a fast-paced environment in a company collaborating with DoD/IC customers and industry partners, contributing to high-reliability aerospace programs and scalable sensing solutions.

Qualifications

• Master’s in electrical engineering or related discipline.
• 12+ years of progressive electrical hardware design experience in aerospace.
• Ability to architect and deliver innovative mission-critical designs.
• Extensive experience in high-speed digital and mixed-signal circuits.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for the full lifecycle of avionics hardware.
• Drive system architecture and technology roadmaps for EO sensors.
• Oversee design and integration of complex electronics (FPGA, microcontroller, ADC/DAC, VPX).
• Architect and review payload-level designs with mentors and reviews.
• Lead critical design reviews and advise leadership on technical decisions.

Skills

Electrical hardware design leadership

System architecture aerospace

High-speed digital & mixed-signal

PCB design proficiency

Education

Master's in electrical engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

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.

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.

PRINCIPAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission‑critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space‑based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro‑optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Principal Electrical Engineer based at our Optical Systems site in Chantilly, VA, you will have the opportunity to support the development and test of avionics hardware for our electro‑optical (EO) systems. In this role 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. To be successful in this role, you must be passionate about avionics electrical hardware design, with a willingness to learn in a fast‑paced environment. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

Hardware Design & Architecture

Provide technical leadership for the full lifecycle of avionics hardware for advanced electro‑optical systems.

Drive system architecture and technology roadmaps for EO sensors across all orbital domains.

Oversee design and integration of complex electronics (FPGA, microcontroller, ADC/DAC, VPX) at system and module levels.

Architect and review payload‑level designs, integrating motor controllers, processing units, imagers, and cryptographic devices, while mentoring engineering teams and ensuring compliance with industry standards and security requirements.

Establish standards for schematic capture and PCBA layout in Altium Designer, ensuring quality and reliability through critical design reviews.

Requirements & Verification

Lead PCBA requirements development through cross‑functional collaboration, ensuring alignment with system objectives.

Establish and oversee verification, validation, and integration test strategies.

Direct environmental qualification programs (EMI/EMC, TVAC, shock, vibration), ensuring compliance with standards.

Provide technical leadership and sign‑off for failure analysis and root‑cause investigations, driving continuous improvement.

Leadership & Collaboration

Provide strategic technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams, fostering talent development and technical excellence.

Build and manage key relationships with suppliers, manufacturing partners, and executive stakeholders to align program objectives.

Drive production manufacturing initiatives, leading DFM strategy, yield optimization, and process innovation across programs.

Lead critical design reviews and deliver high‑impact technical recommendations to executive leadership and cross‑functional teams.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent advanced experience)
• 12+ years of progressive electrical hardware design experience in aerospace or related high‑reliability industries, with demonstrated technical leadership on complex programs
• Proven ability to architect and deliver innovative "blank sheet of paper" design solutions for mission‑critical aerospace systems
• Extensive experience in advanced PCBA design, including high‑speed digital and mixed‑signal circui