Senior Electrical Engineer II

Rocket Lab USA; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer II in Chantilly, VA to drive avionics hardware for optical systems. You’ll own the full hardware lifecycle—from requirements through design, prototyping, and test—collaborating with multiple engineering teams to deliver robust EO solutions.

You will lead architecture decisions, design complex electronics, and contribute to system integration and verification, shaping next-gen space hardware in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in avionics hardware development from requirements through design, prototyping and testing.
• Ability to lead architecture decisions for EO sensor systems.
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC, TVAC, shock and vibration testing.

Responsibilities

• Own complete lifecycle of avionics hardware for command and control of EO systems.
• Lead architecture decisions to advance EO sensor capabilities across missions.
• Design and integrate electronics including FPGA, microcontroller, ADC/DAC, and VPX systems.
• Develop payload level designs with processing units, imagers, and cryptographic devices.
• Perform schematic capture and PCBA layout using Altium Designer.

Skills

Avionics hardware design

FPGA

System integration

Tools

Altium Designer

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

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.

SPACE SYSTEMS

Rocket Lab's Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.

The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it's a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help get to space - our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER II

Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Senior Electrical Engineer II for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Chantilly, VA, you will have the opportunity to support the development and test of avionics hardware for our electro-optical optical systems. In this role 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. To be successful in this role, you must be passionate about avionics electrical hardware design, with a willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

Hardware Design & Architecture

• Own complete lifecycle of avionics hardware for command and control of electro-optical systems
• Lead architecture decisions to advance EO sensor capabilities across LEO, GEO, and Cis-Lunar missions
  • Design and integrate complex electronics including FPGA, microcontroller, low-noise ADC/DAC, and VPX systems at CCA/module level
  • Develop Payload level designs integrating motor controllers, processing units, imagers, and cryptographic devices
• Perform schematic capture and PCBA layout using Altium Designer

Requirements & Verification

• Develop PCBA requirements through cross-functional collaboration with systems, mechanical, thermal, optical and software teams
• Plan and execute design verification testing and system integration testing
• Own environmental qualification programs including EMI/EMC, TVAC, shock, vibration, and other mission-specific tests
• Support failure analysis and root-cause investigations for units in test, integration, or on-orbit operations

Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide technical oversight and mentorship to junior engineers and support staff (layout, analysis, test technicians)
• 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