Senior Avionics Test & Launch Operations Lead

Segment (Twilio); Wallops Island (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary 110,000–140,000 USD (VA)

Stock options & incentives

Insurance & 401(k)

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Lead Test & Launch Engineer – Avionics at its Launch Complex 3 in Wallops Island, VA. You will oversee end‑to‑end avionics testing, launch, and mission operations for Electron and Neutron vehicles, including CONOPS development and HMIs for monitoring and control.

The role requires leading engineering teams, conducting mission simulations, and performing real‑time data analysis to resolve avionics issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, computer, aerospace, software engineering or related field.
• 5–8+ years of engineering experience with avionics systems, RF systems, telemetry, flight software, or launch vehicle operations.
• Proficiency with avionics hardware, flight software systems, and ground station operations.
• Experience with high‑reliability software systems and safety‑critical aerospace software.
• Experience with RF systems, ground stations, telemetry systems, or avionics networking infrastructure.
• Demonstrated leadership competencies, including change management, conflict resolution, escalation, and team management.
• Understanding of operations involving complex software and hardware systems.
• Experience developing operational procedures, test plans, and mission simulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead avionics hardware, software, and ground station teams for Electron and Neutron operations.
• Operate as console operator in Mission Control for avionics during tests and launches.
• Develop and maintain CONOPS for avionics, flight software, and ground networks.
• Create and improve test plans, procedures, and checklists for avionics operations.
• Design HMIs for avionics monitoring and ground station control.
• Lead readiness reviews, simulations, and rehearsals for avionics operations.
• Troubleshoot and analyze data in real‑time to fix avionics/communication issues.
• Analyze post‑test data to identify trends and improvements.
• Develop training programs and qualification matrices for operators.
• Lead root‑cause analysis and corrective actions for avionics anomalies.
• Drive development of Neutron avionics operations procedures and testing.
• Serve as primary technical authority for avionics during mission‑critical ops.

Skills

Avionics systems

RF systems

Ground station operations

Flight software

Leadership

Root-cause analysis

Telemetry

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical, computer, aerospace, software engineering

Tools

DO-178C

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking a Lead Test & Launch Engineer – Avionics at its Launch Complex 3 in Wallops Island, VA. You will oversee end‑to‑end avionics testing, launch, and mission operations for Electron and Neutron vehicles, including CONOPS development and HMIs for monitoring and control.

The role requires leading engineering teams, conducting mission simulations, and performing real‑time data analysis to resolve avionics issues.