Senior HITL Engineer I — Spacecraft Test & Validation

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 98,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Top-tier medical plans

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Senior HITL Engineer I to design, maintain, and operate hardware-in-the-loop systems for spacecraft buses. You will work hands-on with test hardware and collaborate across disciplines to verify performance and ensure robust day-of-launch operations.

The role requires a US citizen with a bachelor’s degree in a related field and 5+ years of engineering experience in hardware or software development. Strong electronics test system experience is essential.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, electronics, computer science, aerospace engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of engineering experience with hardware or software development.
• Experience with electronics testing.
• Experience with designing and implementing electronics test systems.
• US citizenship is required due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, operate, and maintain the HITL systems for the Rocket Lab spacecraft buses.
• Work hands-on with test and flight hardware.
• Work in a cross-disciplinary team to verify the functionality and performance of the Rocket Lab spacecraft buses.
• Operate launch vehicle simulation platform for Day of Launch operations for specific missions.
• Make and maintain accurate technical documentation via system diagrams, schematics, ICDs, procedures, test/anomaly reports.
• Analyze test results from raw data for pass/fail criteria.
• Troubleshoot root cause from anomalies and communicate the results and path forward with internal team, vendors, and customers.
• Provide critical review for test plans, procedures, and documentation.
• Operate and capture data from test equipment (DMMs, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, etc.)

Skills

HITL Systems

Electronics testing

Test software

Python

C++

Linux

CI/CD

Git

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, electronics, computer science, aerospace engineering, or related field

Tools

Python

C++

Linux

CI/CD

Git

NX

VeSys

RapidHarness

SolidWorks

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Senior HITL Engineer I to design, maintain, and operate hardware-in-the-loop systems for spacecraft buses. You will work hands-on with test hardware and collaborate across disciplines to verify performance and ensure robust day-of-launch operations.

The role requires a US citizen with a bachelor’s degree in a related field and 5+ years of engineering experience in hardware or software development. Strong electronics test system experience is essential.