Senior Electrical Engineer II

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 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.

ROCKET LAB ROBOTICS

At Rocket Lab Robotics, we build robotic systems that push the boundaries of what's possible in space. From Mars-proven robotic arms to precision motion control systems for the most demanding environments in our solar system, our team delivers advanced electro-mechanical solutions for planetary exploration and various satellite programs. We've engineered hardware that has operated on the surface of Mars on NASA's Perseverance rover, supported lunar exploration through the CADRE rover program, and developed precision mechanisms for spacecraft subsystems including solar array drives, antenna gimbals, and optical payloads. As part of Rocket Lab, we combine the focus of small, dedicated robotics teams with the resources of a leading end-to-end space company, empowering some of the boldest missions in history. We're looking for people who take ownership and drive a problem from first principles all the way through manufacturing and delivery.

SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER II

Based at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, California, the Senior Electrical Engineer II will participate in the development and test of avionics hardware for our robotics programs. You will work collaboratively with engineers across multiple disciplines and participate in all aspects of electrical hardware development, from requirements definition through design, prototyping, fabrication, testing, and production. We are looking for people who are passionate about robotics electrical hardware design and are willing to learn and execute in a fast-paced environment.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO

• Take end-to-end ownership of hardware for robotics and motor-control applications.
• Drive architecture decisions that advance control algorithms, including work with microcontroller-based systems.
• Develop PCBA requirements in collaboration with other engineering disciplines.
• Perform PCBA design verification testing and system integration testing.
• Own and support environmental testing, including EMI/EMC, thermal-vacuum, shock, and vibration testing.
• Perform schematic capture and PCB layout using Altium Designer.
• Provide oversight and mentorship to support engineers performing layout, analysis, testing, and related activities.
• Lead electronic component and parts selection with consideration for electrical performance, reliability, environmental requirements, availability, lifecycle status, lead time, and cost.
• Develop and maintain engineering bills of material and partner with planning, supply chain, and manufacturing teams to support material readiness, long-lead procurement, and production schedules.
• Support sourcing and supplier selection for electronic components, PCBAs, and related hardware, including evaluation of alternates and resolution of obsolescence or supply-chain constraints.
• Drive design for manufacturability and testability, working closely with manufacturing and suppliers to ensure designs can be built, inspected, tested, and scaled reliably.
• Provide production and manufacturing support as needed.
• Support failure analysis and root-cause investigations for units in test, integration, or on-orbit operation.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or another engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of electrical hardware design experience.
• Ability to develop blank-sheet-of-paper design concepts.
• Experience in motor-control applications.
• Experience with analog signal chains.
• Proficiency performing circuit analyses using SPICE.
• Proficiency with board bring-up and debugging.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE

• Experience with field-oriented control.
• Experience with switch-mode power supplies.
• Experience designing electronics for space environments, including radiation impacts and SEU/SEL mitigation.
• Experience with environmental testing, including thermal-vacuum, shock, and vibration testing.
• Experience with EMI/EMC testing.
• Experience with Altium Designer for schematic capture and PCB layout.
• Proficiency with PCBA verification and validation.
• Experience with parametric, sensitivity, or worst-case analysis.
• Demonstrated expertise selecting electronic components and managing tradeoffs among performance, reliability, availability, lifecycle, lead time, and cost.
• Experience supporting BOM development, material planning, supplier sourcing, component alternates, and design-for-manufacturability reviews.
• Experience with Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
• Experience designing rigid-flex PCBs and working with electromechanical systems.
• Experience with system-modeling tools such as Simulink.

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)

$174,300—$269,875 USD

Base Salary

$141,800—$212,600 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.   

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 [email protected]. 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.