Senior Avionics Hardware Engineer — Space Systems

Rocket Lab; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Tucson, AZ, is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer I/II to join the Optical Systems team. You will support the development and test of avionics hardware for electro-optical systems, collaborating across disciplines to move from requirements through prototype, testing, and production.

You will own designs, mentor juniors, interface with suppliers, and help drive EMI/EMC and environmental qualification efforts, contributing to space missions for DoD and IC customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering is required.
• 8+ years of electrical hardware design experience.
• Strong background in analog electronics design.
• Proficiency with SPICE and Excel for circuit analyses.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Own complete lifecycle of avionics hardware design for EO systems.
• Lead architecture decisions to advance EO sensor capabilities across missions.
• Design and integrate complex electronics including FPGA, microcontroller, low-noise ADC/DAC, and VPX systems at CCA/module level.
• Perform schematic capture and PCBA layout using Altium Designer.
• Provide technical oversight and mentorship to junior engineers and support staff.
• 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

FPGA design

Circuit analysis

Analog electronics design

SPICE

Excel

Mentorship

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering

Master’s or PhD in electrical or computer engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

Rocket Lab in Tucson, AZ, is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer I/II to join the Optical Systems team. You will support the development and test of avionics hardware for electro-optical systems, collaborating across disciplines to move from requirements through prototype, testing, and production.

You will own designs, mentor juniors, interface with suppliers, and help drive EMI/EMC and environmental qualification efforts, contributing to space missions for DoD and IC customers.