Senior Avionics Hardware Engineer – Space EO

Rocket Lab Corporation; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 134,000 - 201,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer II to join the Optical Systems team in Chantilly, VA. You will own the full avionics hardware lifecycle for EO systems, shaping architecture, designing electronics, and leading system verification efforts across missions.

You will collaborate with systems, mechanical, thermal, optical, and software teams to deliver robust, space-ready electronics and to mentor junior engineers. U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of electrical hardware design experience.
• Able to develop "blank sheet of paper" design concepts.
• Experience in PCBA design with FPGAs.
• Knowledge with processors, FPGAs, switch mode power supplies, communication interfaces and analog instrumentation.
• A strong background in analog electronics design.
• Proficiency performing circuit analyses using SPICE and Excel.
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Own complete lifecycle of avionics hardware for command and control of electro-optical systems.
• Lead architecture decisions to advance EO sensor capabilities across LEO, GEO, and Cis-Lunar missions.
• Design and integrate complex electronics including FPGA, microcontroller, low-noise ADC/DAC, and VPX systems at CCA/module level.
• Develop Payload level designs integrating motor controllers, processing units, imagers, and cryptographic devices.
• Perform schematic capture and PCBA layout using Altium Designer.
• Develop PCBA requirements through cross-functional collaboration with systems, mechanical, thermal, optical and software teams.
• Plan and execute design verification testing and system integration testing.
• Own environmental qualification programs including EMI/EMC, TVAC, shock, vibration, and other mission-specific tests.
• Support failure analysis and root-cause investigations for units in test, integration, or on-orbit operations.
• Provide technical oversight and mentorship to junior engineers and support staff (layout, analysis, test technicians).
• Interface with suppliers, manufacturing partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Support production manufacturing including DFM reviews, yield improvement, and process optimization.
• Participate in design reviews and present technical recommendations to leadership.

Skills

Electrical hardware design

PCBA with FPGAs

FPGA/Processor knowledge

Analog electronics design

SPICE analysis

US citizenship

Education

B.S. in electrical/computer engineering

M.S. or PhD in electrical/computer engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer II to join the Optical Systems team in Chantilly, VA. You will own the full avionics hardware lifecycle for EO systems, shaping architecture, designing electronics, and leading system verification efforts across missions.

You will collaborate with systems, mechanical, thermal, optical, and software teams to deliver robust, space-ready electronics and to mentor junior engineers. U.S.