Senior Integration & Test Engineer II

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock Purchase Program

Medical plans

Paid vacation and sick time

401(k) retirement plan with company**

Onsite fitness centers

Snacks and beverages

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Integration & Test Engineer II to lead the development, test, and deployment of flight spacecraft systems, and to maintain test systems used across the Space Systems organization.

You will define requirements, verify and validate plans, create acceptance and qualification tests, and work with hardware-in-the-loop setups, while mentoring teams and interfacing with leadership and investors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, electronics, mechatronics, aerospace, or other engineering degree is required.
• 8+ years of experience in a test engineering or hands‑on engineering role.
• Experience with environmental testing (thermal vacuum or random vibration).
• Proficiency in C, C++, Python, or MATLAB; Windows 10 and MS Office.
• Experience writing technical documentation (procedures, reports, requirements).
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and own integration and test campaigns at various levels of spacecraft development.
• Define systems requirements and verification/validation plans.
• Develop acceptance, qualification, and R&D test plans for spacecraft systems.
• Develop and operate environmental test systems (Vibe, TVAC, Thermal, EMI).
• Maintain ground support equipment and facilities; interface with flight software configurations.
• Lead investigations into anomalous vehicle behavior; interface with hardware‑in‑the‑loop test systems.

Skills

C/C++

Python

MATLAB

Windows 10

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical, electronics, mechatronics, aerospace, or other engineering

Master’s or PhD in electrical, electronics, mechatronics, aerospace, or other engineering

Tools

NX 3D CAD

Electrical test equipment

Ground test software

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 ENGINEERII

Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Integration & Test Engineer II is responsible for the development, test, and deployment of flight spacecraft systems, as well as the development, maintenance, and upgrading of the test systems for that hardware. You will support the Space Systems organization, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Lead and own integration and test campaigns at various levels of spacecraft development
• Work collaboratively with team members to define systems requirements, as well as verification and validation plans
• Develop acceptance, qualification, and R&D test plans for spacecraft systems
• Develop, maintain, and operate environmental test systems (Vibe, TVAC, Thermal, EMI, etc.)
• Develop and maintain mechanical and electrical ground support equipment and facilities
• Interface with ground test software and implement flight software configuration changes
• Lead investigations into anomalous vehicle behavior
• Interface with hardware-in-the-loop test systems

QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, electronics, mechatronics, aerospace, or other engineering degree
• 8+ years of experience in a test engineering or other hands-on engineering role
• 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 with ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Master’s or PhD in electrical, electronics, mechatronics, aerospace, or other engineering degree
• 4+ years of professional experience as a test engineer in the aerospace industry
• Strong understanding of satellite subsystems (CDH, ADCS, EPS, and COMM)
• Experience working in a clean room and with ESD-sensitive equipment
• Hands-on experience using electrical test equipment (PSU, Oscilloscope, DMM, etc.)
• Exposure to designing and implementing test systems for electronics
• Understanding of sensors, signal conditioning and data acquisition electronics
• Familiarity with spacecraft harness design and best practices
• Experience with 3D CAD software, preferably NX
• Experience with RF testing and hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Basic knowledge of networking
• Experience with Linux systems

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.

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay,you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

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.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$157,800 - $245,125 USD

$125,300 - $187,850 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 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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Rocket Lab Corporation’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.