Senior Electrical Engineer II

rocketlab; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer II to lead avionics hardware development for EO systems. You will own the complete lifecycle from requirements to test, collaborating with multiple engineering teams. Ideal candidates have a bachelor's in electrical/computer engineering, 8+ years in hardware design, FPGA/PCBA experience, and U.S.

citizenship for program requirements. Join a fast-paced, mission-driven environment shaping the future of space.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical or computer engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of electrical hardware design experience.
• Ability to translate blank page concepts into feasible designs.
• Experience with PCBA design involving FPGAs.
• Knowledge of processors, FPGAs, switching regulators, interfaces and analog instrumentation.
• Strong background in analog electronics design.
• Proficiency with circuit analysis using SPICE and Excel.
• U.S. citizenship is required for this program.

Responsibilities

• Own complete lifecycle of avionics hardware for EO system control.
• Lead architecture decisions to advance EO sensor capabilities across missions.
• Design and integrate complex electronics including FPGA, microcontroller, ADC/DAC, and VPX at module level.
• Develop payload designs with motor controllers, processing units, imagers, and cryptographic devices.
• Perform schematic capture and PCBA layout using Altium Designer.
• Develop PCBA requirements with systems, mechanical, thermal, optical and software teams.
• Plan and execute design verification testing and system integration testing; manage environmental qualification programs (EMI/EMC, TVAC, shock, vibration).
• Support failure analysis and root-cause investigations for units in test or on orbit.
• Provide mentorship to junior engineers and interface with suppliers and manufacturing partners.

Skills

Electrical hardware design

FPGA design

PCBA design

Analog electronics

SPICE analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical or computer engineering

Tools

Altium

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

At Rocket Lab, we're not just launching rockets - we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has 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 them get to space - our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of 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 (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) 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, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Senior Electrical Engineer II based at our Rocket Lab Optical Systems site in Chantilly, VA, you will have the opportunity to support the development and test of avionics hardware for our electro-optical (EO) 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:

The role's responsibilities

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 testingOwn 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

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering discipline
• 8+ years of electrical hardware design experience
• Able to develop "blank sheet of paper" design concepts
• Experience in PCBA design with FPGAs
• Knowledge with processors, FPGAs, switch mode power supplies, communication interfaces and analog instrumentation
• A strong background in analog electronics design
• Proficiency performing circuit analyses using SPICE and Excel
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Master's or PhD in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering discipline
• Proficiency with basic electronic lab equipment such as power supplies, oscilloscopes, DMMs, signal generators, soldering irons, etc.
• Experience designing electronics for