Senior Avionics Hardware Engineer - EO Space Systems

Rocket Lab USA; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer II in Chantilly, VA to drive avionics hardware for optical systems. You’ll own the full hardware lifecycle—from requirements through design, prototyping, and test—collaborating with multiple engineering teams to deliver robust EO solutions.

You will lead architecture decisions, design complex electronics, and contribute to system integration and verification, shaping next-gen space hardware in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in avionics hardware development from requirements through design, prototyping and testing.
• Ability to lead architecture decisions for EO sensor systems.
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC, TVAC, shock and vibration testing.

Responsibilities

• Own complete lifecycle of avionics hardware for command and control of EO systems.
• Lead architecture decisions to advance EO sensor capabilities across missions.
• Design and integrate electronics including FPGA, microcontroller, ADC/DAC, and VPX systems.
• Develop payload level designs with processing units, imagers, and cryptographic devices.
• Perform schematic capture and PCBA layout using Altium Designer.

Skills

Avionics hardware design

FPGA

System integration

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer II in Chantilly, VA to drive avionics hardware for optical systems. You’ll own the full hardware lifecycle—from requirements through design, prototyping, and test—collaborating with multiple engineering teams to deliver robust EO solutions.

You will lead architecture decisions, design complex electronics, and contribute to system integration and verification, shaping next-gen space hardware in a fast-paced environment.