Senior Avionics Test and Launch Engineer

Rocket Lab USA; Wallops Island (VA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant

Employee Stock Purchase Program (15%

Stock options

Medical plans

Dental and vision

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

Flexible spending accounts

Paid parental leave

Disability and life insurance

401(k) matching

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation is seeking a Senior Avionics Test and Launch Engineer in Wallops Island, VA. The role sits in the Test and Launch Engineering team responsible for testing, launch, and mission operations for Electron and Neutron vehicles.

You will develop and test avionics/electrical systems, oversee checkout, lead projects, and mentor staff within Integrated Operations. A Bachelor’s in Engineering and 5+ years in related fields are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in engineering with aerospace focus preferred.
• 5+ years in engineering design, test or operations, esp. electrical/software.

Responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, and test avionics and electrical systems for Electron and Neutron launch vehicles.
• Oversee the configuration and checkout of avionics systems.
• Lead and manage testing projects for avionics and electrical systems.
• Mentor and train other operators within the Integrated Operations team on avionics and electrical systems.
• Develop CONOPS and HMIs for ground- and vehicle-electrical hardware.
• Author, review and carry out operations procedures.

Skills

Avionics testing

Electrical systems

Launch ops

Engineering design

Education

Bachelor Degree in Engineering

Tools

Python

HTML/XML

TCP/IP knowledge

Job description

Senior Avionics Test and Launch Engineer

Wallops Island, VA

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.

NEUTRON

Neutron is an medium-lift launch vehicle being developed by Rocket Lab, a publicly traded end-to-end space company. The rocket can deliver the mega constellations of tomorrow, enable interplanetary payloads, and support human spaceflight. As a reusable platform, Neutron will deliver a very cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven history with Electron – the third most launched rocket, worldwide, in 2024. If you’re interested in joining an incredible team in a fast-paced and rewarding environment, this is your opportunity.

SENIOR AVIONICS TEST AND LAUNCH ENGINEER SENIOR

This role is part of the Test and Launch Engineering team at Rocket Lab which is the division responsible for testing, launch, and mission operations of Electron and Neutron launch vehicle, starting with stack testing through pre-launch processing, launch operations, and on-orbit operations. Integrated Operations is also responsible for configuration, checkout, and operation of related facilities, equipment, and infrastructure.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Develop, integrate, and test avionics and electrical systems for Electron and Neutron launch vehicles
• Oversee the configuration and checkout of avionics systems
• Lead and manage testing projects for avionics and electrical systems
• Mentor and train other operators within the Integrated Operations team on avionics and electrical systems
• Develop Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) related to ground- and vehicle- electrical hardware
• Author, review and carry out operations procedures

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR ENGINEER I:

• Bachelor Degree in Engineering(preferably Aerospace, mechanical,electricalor mechatronicengineering)
• 5+ years of experience in engineering design, test and/or operations, in the focus of electrical/software engineering

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with launch vehicles or spacecraft including integration, testing, launch, or mission operations
• Experience with Java, Python, or other object-oriented programming language
• Software development skills with solid understanding and experience working with web-based tools such as HTML and XML
• Good understanding of networking required with knowledge and experience in TCP/IP, UDP, multicast protocols, and packet switching and routing
• Knowledge of and/or experience with electrical systems

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans, dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with company match, and other discounts and perks.

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the state of Virginia’s pay transparency requirements. Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$115,000 - $164,000 USD

$100,000 - $125,000 USD

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here .

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Rocket Lab Corporation’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an armed forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.