Senior Integration & Test Engineer I

Rocket Lab; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Pasadena, CA is seeking a Senior Integration & Test Engineer I to lead integration and test campaigns for flight motion systems, from actuators to spacecraft. You will work with design, controls and systems engineers to define requirements and verification plans. The role requires a bachelor's in engineering, 5+ years in test or hands-on roles, and proficiency in C/C++/Python/MATLAB.

U.S. citizenship is required for ITAR program work, and you will develop test plans, document

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering as listed.
• 5+ years of hands‑on engineering or test experience.
• U.S. citizenship is required for program work.
• Experience with environmental and vibration testing is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and own integration and test campaigns for flight motion systems at various levels of assembly, from actuators and mechanisms through subsystem and spacecraft
• Integrate and test motor control electronics with motors, actuators, and mechanisms, including closed-loop performance characterization
• Work with design, controls, and systems engineers to define requirements and verification plans
• Develop and present materials for customer and company reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR)
• Develop acceptance, qualification, and R&D test plans for flight mechanisms and motion systems
• Plan environmental qualification and acceptance testing (Vibe, Shock, TVAC, Thermal, EMI/EMC)
• Develop and maintain test equipment and ground support hardware
• Develop and maintain test automation and data acquisition for motion systems
• Lead investigations into anomalous mechanism and motor control behavior
• Interface with hardware-in-the-loop test systems

Skills

Mechatronics

Motor control electronics

Environmental testing

C/C++/Python/MATLAB

Technical documentation

US citizenship

SolidWorks/Altium

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, mechatronics, aerospace, or other engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Altium

Job description

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 INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER I

Based out of Rocket Lab's Pasadena, CA office, the Senior Integration & Test Engineer I is responsible for the integration, test, and verification of flight mechatronic and motion systems, including motor control electronics, actuators, motors, and mechanisms, from the component level through subsystem and spacecraft integration, as well as the development, maintenance, and upgrading of the test systems for that hardware. You will support senior engineering staff within the Space Systems organization and report to internal leadership.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Lead and own integration and test campaigns for flight motion systems at various levels of assembly, from actuators and mechanisms through subsystem and spacecraft
• Integrate and test motor control electronics with motors, actuators, and mechanisms, including closed-loop performance characterization (torque, speed, position, and current loop behavior)
• Work collaboratively with design, controls, and systems engineers to define requirements, as well as verification and validation (V&V) plans and requirements compliance
• Develop and present materials for customer and company stakeholder reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR, and TRR
• Develop acceptance, qualification, and R&D test plans and procedures for flight mechanisms and motion systems
• Plan and execute environmental qualification and acceptance testing (Vibe, Shock, TVAC, Thermal, EMI/EMC, etc.), including functional and performance testing before, during, and after environmental exposure
• Develop, maintain, and operate mechanical and electrical ground support equipment, such as motor/load test stands, dynamometers, and test fixtures
• Develop and maintain test automation and data acquisition for motion systems; interface with ground test software and implement flight software configuration changes
• Lead investigations into anomalous mechanism and motor control behavior, driving root cause and corrective action
• Interface with hardware-in-the-loop test systems

QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, mechatronics, aerospace, or other engineering degree
• 5+ years of experience in a test engineering or other hands‑on engineering role
• Hands‑on mechatronics experience integrating and testing motor control electronics, motors, actuators, or mechanisms
• Working knowledge of brushless DC, permanent magnet synchronous, or stepper motors, their drive electronics, and feedback sensors such as encoders, resolvers, and Hall sensors
• Experience with environmental testing, such as thermal vacuum or random vibration testing
• Proficiency with C, C++, Python, or MATLAB; and Windows 10 and Microsoft Office products
• Experience in writing technical documentation, such as procedures, reports, and requirements
• U.S. citizenship due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience integrating and testing flight systems for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or other aerospace platforms
• Experience with precision motion systems, such as gimbals, robotic arms, pointing mechanisms, deployment mechanisms, or reaction wheels
• Experience on hardware that has completed formal qualification and acceptance testing and a full V&V lifecycle
• Understanding of control systems fundamentals and motor control techniques, such as field‑oriented control and current, velocity, and position loop tuning
• Experience working in a clean room and with ESD‑sensitive equipment
• Hands‑on experience using electrical test equipment (PSU, Oscilloscope, DMM, Power Analyzer, Current Probes, etc.)
• Exposure to designing and implementing test systems for electromechanical hardware
• Understanding of sensors, signal conditioning and data acquisition electronics
• Experience with 3D CAD and ECAD software, preferably SolidWorks and Altium
• Experience with hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$129,075 — $171,675 USD

$108,800 — $136,000 USD

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

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 .

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 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.