Principal Electrical Engineer

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets spacecraft and critical subsystems that keep the world connected protected expand humanitys 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 were not just launching rockets were 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 1700 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 its 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.

PRINCIPAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space terrestrial and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Principal Electrical Engineer based at our Optical Systems site in Chantilly VA you will have the opportunity to support the development and test of avionics hardware for our electro-optical (EO) this role you will work collaboratively with engineers of various disciplines and participate in all aspects of electrical hardware development from requirements definition through design prototyping fabrication testing and production. To be successful in this role you must be passionate about avionics electrical hardware design with a willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects delivering on the impossible and making an impact on the future of space!

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

Hardware Design & Architecture

• Provide technical leadership for the full lifecycle of avionics hardware for advanced electro-optical systems
• Drive system architecture and technology roadmaps for EO sensors across all orbital domains
• Oversee design and integration of complex electronics (FPGA microcontroller ADC/DAC VPX) at system and module levels
• Architect and review payload-level designs integrating motor controllers processing units imagers and cryptographic devices while mentoring engineering teams and ensuring compliance with industry standards and security requirements
• Establish standards for schematic capture and PCBA layout in Altium Designer ensuring quality and reliability through critical design reviews

Requirements & Verification

• Lead PCBA requirements development through cross-functional collaboration ensuring alignment with system objectives
• Establish and oversee verification validation and integration test strategies
• Direct environmental qualification programs (EMI/EMC TVAC shock vibration) ensuring compliance with standards
• Provide technical leadership and sign-off for failure analysis and root-cause investigations driving continuous improvement

Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide strategic technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams fostering talent development and technical excellence
• Build and manage key relationships with suppliers manufacturing partners and executive stakeholders to align program objectives
• Drive production manufacturing initiatives leading DFM strategy yield optimization and process innovation across programs
• Lead critical design reviews and deliver high-impact technical recommendations to executive leadership and cross-functional teams

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters in electrical engineering Computer Engineering or a related discipline (or equivalent advanced experience)
• 12 years of progressive electrical hardware design experience in aerospace or related high-reliability industries with demonstrated technical leadership on complex programs
• Proven ability to architect and deliver innovative blank sheet of paper design solutions for mission-critical aerospace systems
• Extensive experience in advanced PCBA design including high-speed digital and mixed-signal circuits with FPGAs ASICs and microcontrollers
• Deep expertise in FPGA architecture and embedded software development for ARM-based systems
• Deep expertise in system-level integration of processors FPGAs switch mode power supplies high-speed communication interfaces and precision analog instrumentation
• Strong analog electronics design with a track record of delivering high-performance low-noise solutions for aerospace applications
• High proficiency in circuit analysis and simulation using SPICE MATLAB and other industry-standard tools
• Extensive experience architecting electronics for space environments with deep knowledge of radiation effects (SEU/SEL) and mitigation strategies
• Leadership in PCBA verification validation and qualification for flight hardware
• Expert in advanced electronic lab instrumentation and hands-on prototyping for complex system bring-up and troubleshooting
• U.S. citizenship required due to government and program security requirements
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Proven track record designing high-reliability aerospace hardware for extreme environments (TVAC shock vibration)
• Advanced expertise in EMI/EMC compliance testing and mitigation for aerospace systems
• Mastery of Altium Designer for schematic capture multi-layer PCB layout and design reviews
• Experience designing rigid-flex PCBs and integrating electromechanical systems
• Active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance

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

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats 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 others 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.

Important information:

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 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.