Principal Electrical Engineer

Principal Electrical EngineerRocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.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.Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division 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 Rocket Lab's site in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to support the utilization, career growth, and well-being of engineers in the Electrical Engineering functional group in addition to supporting programs as an individual contributor (approximately 80% individual contributor support and 20% functional management). An ideal applicant will possess a strong technical background in electrical engineering in addition to excellent leadership skills. With the support of the broader team, they will deliver fully validated systems that meet program specifications on cost, schedule, and quality targets. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!What You'll Get To Do:Team Leadership: Manage and lead a team of electrical engineers by fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment. Set clear objectives, provide regular feedback, and support the professional development of team membersDevelop a professional engineering team culture to meet deadlines and uphold personal accountabilityFunctional Budgeting: Manage the functional budget, generate ROI assessments for discretionary efforts such as process improvements or tool development, and control overhead charging rates to specified levelsTechnical Guidance: Provide expert guidance and mentorship to the electrical engineering team by offering insights and solutions to complex technical challengesStay updated with the latest advancements in electrical engineering technology and guide the team in adopting best practices and innovative approachesAct as core assessor in engineering gate reviews and peer review events to ensure work quality and task closureElectrical Design and Analysis: Lead and participate in the design, analysis, and optimization of electrical systems for space applicationsUse software tools, simulations, and analytical techniques to assess electrical design performance, and quality, power management, impedance matching, as well as digital, high frequency and nodal analysisDetermine the architecture and lead the detailed electronics analysis and design using both digital and analog circuit design skillsCollaboration: Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including mechanical engineers, optical engineers, and systems engineers to ensure seamless integration of electrical systems into satellite platformsFoster effective communication and teamwork across departmentsDocumentation, Reporting, and Writing: Prepare technical reports, project documentation, technical proposals, and presentations to communicate progress, findings, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and external partnersMission Assurance: Implement and support rigorous quality control measures throughout the electrical engineering process to ensure compliance with industry standards and customer requirementsDesign for Manufacturing: Establish processes and design guidelines to support seamless handoff to production and long-term production scalingMetrics Tracking: Develop and measure a strong set of metrics for engineering development activitiesRisk Management: Identify and assess potential risks and challenges in electrical design and development projectsDevelop mitigation strategies and contingency plans to minimize project disruptions and ensure successful outcomesYou'll Bring These Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering discipline12+ years of electrical hardware experienceAbility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security ClearanceDemonstrable experience in electrical engineering, with a strong focus on designing and developing electrical systems for space applications to include all facets of electronics design including high level architectural development, low level design of high speed, analog and digital printed circuit boards that will include interfacing with different communications busesExtensive design experience in meeting rigid EMI/EMC guidelinesDesign experience with opto-electronics background in low-noise, high gain opto-electronic circuitry, electrical amplification, and various other optical diode detection componentsDesign experience with ability to migrate from R&D to Full Scale Production within a well-regulated AS9100 (ISO 9001) environment including accurate schematic capture, BOM creation, thermal, and timing analysisStrong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex electrical systems and propose effective solutionsExcellent management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and deliver results within given constraintsDemonstrated leadership skills with experience managing and mentoring technical teamsEffective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and present technical information to both technical and non-technical stakeholdersThese Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have:Master's or PhD in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering disciplineExperience designing for space environments, including radiation impacts and mitigationExperience in designing for high-reliability aerospace applicationsDemonstrated success working in a dynamic environment and ability to manage competing prioritiesActive TS/SCI U.S. Government Security ClearanceThis 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.