Senior Electrical Engineer I/II

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

Benefits offered by this job

Company equity

401(k) retirement plan

Robust benefits package

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Pasadena, CA is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer I/II to lead the development and testing of avionics hardware for robotics programs. You will manage end-to-end hardware from requirements through production and collaborate across disciplines in a fast-paced environment.

The role offers growth from Senior Engineer I to II, with responsibilities including PCBA design, environmental testing, and mentorship of junior engineers.

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.
• Experience in PCBA design with FPGAs.
• Experience in motor control applications and analog signal chains.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end hardware for robotics and motor control.
• Drive architecture decisions for control algorithms.
• Work with FPGA and micro-controller systems.
• Develop PCBA requirements and design verification testing.
• Schematic capture and PCB layout using Altium Designer.
• Mentor support engineers (layout, analysis, test).
• Provide production manufacturing support.

Skills

HW design ownership

Motor control

SPICE analysis

Schematic analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical or computer engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER I/II

Based at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA, the Senior Electrical Engineer I/II you will participate in the development and test of avionics hardware for our robotics programs. You will work collaboratively with engineers of various disciplines and participate in all aspects of electrical hardware development, from requirements definition through design, prototyping, fabrication, testing, and production. We’re looking for people who are passionate about robotics electrical hardware design, with a willingness to learn in a fast‑paced environment.

Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Electrical Engineer I or Senior Electrical Engineer II level.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• 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.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER I/II:

• 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

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE 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.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)

$140,000 — $188,000 USD

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.

Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including: top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company‑sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 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, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include: Discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts.

Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role. Benefit programs are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

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 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.

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.