Electrical Engineering- Senior

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. 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.
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 ELECTRICAL ENGINEER I/II

Rocket Lab Robotics specializes in high-performance robotic systems and precision mechanisms that enable the most ambitious space missions, including NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover and CADRE lunar rovers. Based at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA, the Senior Electrical Engineer I/II you will participate in the development and test of avionics hardware for our robotics programs. 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. We're looking for people who are passionate about robotics electrical hardware design, with a willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment.
End to end ownership of hardware for robotics and motor control applications

• Work with FPGA and Micro-Controller systems
• Develop PCBA requirements in collaboration with other engineering disciplines
• Own environmental tests including EMI/EMC, TVAC, Shock, Vibe, etc.
• Support failure analysis and root-cause investigation for units in test, integration, or on-orbit operation.

(Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Electrical Engineer I or Senior Electrical Engineer II level)

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER I/II:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering discipline
• 5+ years of electrical hardware design experience for level I, or 8+ years for level II
• Experience in motor control applications
• Proficiency performing circuit analyses using SPICE
• Experience in FPGA firmware design with Verilog, specifically creating IP from scratch
• Experience with Field-Oriented-Control
• Experience with switch mode power supplies
• Experience designing electronics for space environments, including radiation impacts and mitigation including SEU/SEL impact and mitigation.
• Experience with environmental tests including TVAC, Shock, Vibe, etc.
• Experience with EMI/EMC testing
• Experience with parametric analysis or sensitivity analysis or worst-case analysis
• Experience with Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Experience designing rigid-flex PCBs and electromechanical design
• 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.

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.
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., S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.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 g.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. 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.