Senior R&D Engineer I

Rocket Lab Corporation; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Albuquerque, NM is seeking a Senior R&D Engineer I to lead testing for advanced solar cells and contribute to the development of space and terrestrial photovoltaic technologies. You will guide qualification, confidence, and reliability testing campaigns in a fast-paced R&D environment, working on multi-junction solar cells and associated hardware.

The role emphasizes understanding IV curves, spectral effects, environmental factors, and integration with R&D and manufacturing teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or related STEM field.
• 5+ years of experience in R&D.

Responsibilities

• Develop both a theoretical and practical working knowledge of environmental tests related to qualification and reliability testing of multi-junction solar cells for space and terrestrial applications.
• Design and utilize electrical circuitry and hardware to enable environmental testing of multiple solar cell devices simultaneously.
• Gain expertise in the suite of test equipment used to characterize multi-junction solar cells (QE, IV, EL, reflectance, etc.).
• Analyze how environmental factors affect operation and performance of solar cells and integrated products.
• Plan, manage, and execute qualification, confidence, and reliability testing campaigns for new solar cell technologies.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or related STEM field

5+ years of experience in R&D

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 R&D ENGINEER I

Based out of Rocket Lab's new site in Albuquerque, NM as part of the SolAero Technologies acquisition, the Senior R&D Engineer will support the development of advanced space and terrestrial solar cell products. This engineer will work in an R&D environment and lead space qualification, confidence, and reliability testing work critical to the introduction of new technologies, materials, and processes.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Develop both a theoretical and practical working knowledge of environmental tests related to qualification and reliability testing of multi-junction solar cells for space and terrestrial applications, including the governing standards and specifications used in the industry.
• Design and utilize electrical circuitry and hardware to enable environmental testing of multiple solar cell devices simultaneously.
• Gain expertise in the entire suite of test equipment used to characterize and rate the performance of multi-junction solar cells, including:
  • Quantum Efficiency
  • Pulsed and Continuous Illuminated Current-Voltage
  • Dark Current-Voltage
  • Transfer Length Measurement
  • Electroluminescence
  • Reflectance, Absorptance, Emissivity
  • Mechanical bend/breakage
  • Capacitance, and more
• Develop a detailed understanding of the design, construction, manufacturing methods, and operating principles of series interconnected multi-junction solar cells, and how changes to these may affect performance or reliability in various operating environments (LEO/GEO orbits, interplanetary, terrestrial, etc.).
• Analyze how environmental factors such as temperature, illumination intensity and uniformity, spectral characteristics, particle and UV radiation, atomic oxygen exposure, thermal cycling, thermal shock, humidity, ESD, mechanical shock/vibration, etc., influence the operation and performance of multi-junction solar cells and integrated products.
• Develop a detailed understanding of semiconductor bandgaps and their influence on light absorption, emission, photogenerated current, and voltage production in solar cells.
• Identify key parameters from IV curves (short circuit current, open circuit voltage, fill factor, shunt resistance, series resistance, ideality factor) and understand the phenomena responsible for variability in these parameters.
• Investigate solar cell device failure mechanisms to root cause using the combined understanding of device physics, testing, and environmental effects.
• Accurately define problems or needs, identify the correct measurement methods, efficiently use measurement tools, and perform meaningful, high-value data analysis.
• Plan, manage, and execute qualification, confidence, and reliability testing campaigns for new solar cell technologies.
• Analyze and interpret test data using tools such as Excel and JMP, and confidently present thoughtful and correct analysis to team members.
• Collaborate with R&D and manufacturing engineers to plan and execute required testing activities.
• Work with outside vendors to develop required tools and equipment for testing activities.
• Report results both internally and externally through presentations and formal reports utilizing tools such as PowerPoint and Office.
• Develop strong working relationships across the organization.
• Gain a detailed understanding of the customer base and design/operation requirements for space and terrestrial solar cells.
• Develop the tools and experience needed to take ownership of projects and provide technical leadership for the organization.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or related STEM field.
• 5+ years of experience in R&D

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Master's or PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• Experience with semiconductor product qualification and reliability testing
• Experience in solar cell device/product development.
• Experience with solar cell device design/theory.
• Experience in a production-oriented manufacturing facility.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

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.

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 hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential 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 measure the 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.