Senior Avionics Automation Test Engineer — Platform Leader

Socket.dev; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program (15%+)

Company stock in total compensation

Medical plans (HMO, PPO, HDHP)

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

401(k) with company match

Subsidized EV charging

Onsite fitness centers

Discounted gym memberships

Snacks and beverages

50% employee discount on merch store

Job summary

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team seeks a Senior Avionics Automation Test Engineer II in Long Beach, CA to lead automated testing across spacecraft programs. You will architect the automation platform, own test campaigns, and drive best practices for hardware/software validation.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in space systems with spacecraft software, strong Python and Linux skills, and a track record of technical leadership. U.S. clearance eligibility is required.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Architect and lead deployment of internal test automation platform for future spacecraft programs.
• Own test automation for AIT campaigns across the program life cycle.
• Develop, review, and maintain automated test processes for spacecraft hardware and software validation.
• Integrate test equipment and spacecraft interfaces into the test platform.
• Contribute to core platform development, including backend services and test framework capabilities.

Skills

Python

Linux

Mentoring

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical discipline

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

RobotFramework

Job description

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team seeks a Senior Avionics Automation Test Engineer II in Long Beach, CA to lead automated testing across spacecraft programs. You will architect the automation platform, own test campaigns, and drive best practices for hardware/software validation.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in space systems with spacecraft software, strong Python and Linux skills, and a track record of technical leadership. U.S. clearance eligibility is required.