Senior Electrical Engineer I/II

InvestedintheMission; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 188,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top tier medical coverage

Dental and vision

3 weeks paid vacation

5 days sick leave per year

11 paid holidays per year

401(k) retirement plan with company 2%

Onsite gym and facilities

Job summary

Rocket Lab in California is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer to own hardware for robotics and motor control, drive architectural decisions, and collaborate with FPGA and micro‑controller systems. You will develop PCBA requirements, verify designs, and test systems across environmental conditions.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering and 5+ years of hardware design experience (8+ for senior level II), with proficiency in SPICE, board bring‑up, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of electrical hardware design for level I, or 8+ years for level II.
• Ability to develop blank sheet of paper design concepts.
• Experience in PCBA design with FPGAs.
• Experience in motor control applications.
• Experience with analog signal chains.
• Proficiency performing circuit analyses using SPICE.
• Board bring‑up and debug expertise.

Responsibilities

• End to end ownership of hardware for robotics and motor control projects.
• Drive architecture decisions to advance control algorithms.
• Collaborate with FPGA and micro‑controller systems.
• Develop PCBA requirements with other engineering teams.
• PCBA design verification testing and system integration testing.
• Oversee environmental tests including EMI/EMC, TVAC, Shock, and Vibe.
• Schematic capture and PCB layout using Altium Designer.
• Mentor support engineers in layout, analysis, and testing.
• Provide production manufacturing support as needed.
• Support failure analysis and root‑cause investigations for test or on‑orbit units.

Skills

Hardware design

Motor control

FPGA experience

SPICE analysis

Board bring-up

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical or computer engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

Responsibilities

• End to end ownership of hardware for robotics and motor control applications
• Drive architecture decisions to advance our control algorithms
• Work with FPGA and Micro‑Controller systems
• Develop PCBA requirements in collaboration with other engineering disciplines
• PCBA design verification testing and system integration testing
• Own environmental tests including EMI/EMC, TVAC, Shock, Vibe, etc.
• Schematic capture and PCB layout using Altium Designer
• Oversight and mentorship of support engineers (layout, analysis, test, etc.)
• Production manufacturing support as needed
• Support failure analysis and root‑cause investigation for units in test, integration, or on‑orbit operation

This position can be hired at the Senior Electrical Engineer I or Senior Electrical Engineer II level.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering discipline
• 5+ years of electrical hardware design experience for level I, or 8+ years for level II
• Able to develop "blank sheet of paper" design concepts
• Experience in PCBA design with FPGAs
• Experience in motor control applications
• Experience with analog signal chains
• Proficiency performing circuit analyses using SPICE
• Proficiency with board bring‑up and debug

Nice to Have

• Experience in FPGA firmware design with Verilog, specifically creating IP from scratch
• Experience with Field‑Oriented Control
• Experience with switch mode power supplies
• Experience designing electronics for space environments, including radiation impacts and mitigation including SEU/SEL impact and mitigation
• Experience with environmental tests including TVAC, Shock, Vibe, etc.
• Experience with EMI/EMC testing
• Experience with Altium Designer in schematic capture and layout
• Proficiency with PCBA verification and validation
• Experience with Librero
• Experience with parametric analysis or sensitivity analysis or worst‑case analysis
• Experience with Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Experience designing rigid‑flex PCBs and electromechanical design
• Experience with modeling systems such as Simulink

Additional Requirements

• U.S. citizenship required, due to program requirements
• Sit at desk and operate computer, keyboard and office equipment for extended periods
• Use hands with dexterity to operate controls, tools and technical equipment, as needed
• Read technical documents, drawings, and computer screens requiring close and distance vision
• Move between buildings, labs, and work areas, as needed
• Work in office and technical environments with occasional exposure to noise, dust and fumes in production areas

Benefits

• Top tier medical HMO, PPO and 100% company‑sponsored medical HSA plan option
• Dental and vision coverage
• 3 weeks paid vacation
• 5 days sick leave per year
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts
• Paid parental leave
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Discounted employee stock purchase program
• Subsidized EV charging stations
• Onsite gym, food and drinks
• Other discounts

Base Pay Range (CA Only): $140,000 — $188,000 USD

EEO Statement

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.