Senior Space Avionics Lead Engineer

Rocket Lab; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer in Chantilly, VA, to lead the full lifecycle of avionics hardware for EO systems. You will drive architecture, oversee complex electronics development, and mentor teams to deliver high‑reliability aerospace solutions.

You will guide design reviews, ensure compliance with standards, and advance radiation-mitigation practices for space environments, contributing to mission success and capability growth.

Qualifications

• Master’s in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent advanced experience).
• 12+ years of progressive electrical hardware design experience in aerospace or related high‑reliability industries.
• Architect and deliver innovative aerospace hardware solutions for mission‑critical systems.
• Extensive experience in high‑speed digital and mixed‑signal PCBA design with FPGAs, ASICs, and microcontrollers.
• Deep expertise in FPGA architecture and embedded software development for ARM‑based systems.
• Strong analog electronics design for high‑performance, low‑noise aerospace applications.
• Experience with radiation effects (SEU/SEL) and mitigation strategies.
• Leadership in PCBA verification, validation, and qualification for flight hardware.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a U.S. Government Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for the full lifecycle of avionics hardware for advanced EO systems.
• Drive system architecture and technology roadmaps for EO sensors across orbital domains.
• Oversee design and integration of complex electronics (FPGA, microcontroller, ADC/DAC, VPX).
• Architect and review payload-level designs, mentoring teams and ensuring standards compliance.
• Establish standards for schematic capture and PCBA layout in Altium Designer.
• Lead cross‑functional verification, validation, and integration test strategies.
• Drive environmental qualification programs (EMI/EMC, TVAC, shock, vibration).
• Lead design reviews and deliver high‑impact technical recommendations to leadership.

Skills

FPGA architecture

Embedded software

Altium Designer

PCBA design

Radiation effects

System integration

Electrical hardware design

Leadership

High-reliability aerospace

Education

Master’s in electrical engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

SPICE

MATLAB

FPGA development tools

Verilog/VHDL

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer in Chantilly, VA, to lead the full lifecycle of avionics hardware for EO systems. You will drive architecture, oversee complex electronics development, and mentor teams to deliver high‑reliability aerospace solutions.

You will guide design reviews, ensure compliance with standards, and advance radiation-mitigation practices for space environments, contributing to mission success and capability growth.