Rocket Lab

Senior Avionics Engineer I - Mission Formulation

Rocket Lab • $124K — $155K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical, aerospace engineering, or related field
  • 5+ years of engineering experience
  • Experience in developing avionics or electrical systems for launch vehicles or missiles
  • Active DoD US Government Secret security clearance or ability to obtain one

Responsibilities

  • Serve as primary avionics design contact for mission proposals
  • Develop operational concepts for Electron and Neutron missions
  • Design and document electrical schematics and harnesses
  • Collaborate with external stakeholders for mission requirements
  • Document avionics design solutions and participate in design reviews
  • Work with engineering and production teams to automate proposal analysis tasks
  • Participate in commissioning and calibration of Electron and Neutron systems

Benefits

  • Company stock as part of total compensation
  • Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount
  • Top-tier medical, dental, and vision plans
  • Paid vacation, sick time, and 11 paid holidays
  • Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
  • Paid parental leave and disability/life insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Subsidized EV charging and onsite fitness centers
  • Discounted gym memberships and complimentary snacks
Full Job Description
SENIOR AVIONICS ENGINEER I - MISSION FORMULATION

Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Avionics Engineer I - Mission Formulation is responsible for developing high-performance launch vehicle systems in support of the Launch Systems Business Development and Strategy team.

The Senior Avionics Engineer I - Mission Formulation is an integral part of Rocket Lab's Global Launch Services (GLS) Mission Formulation Team which works closely with other Engineering teams and Production to bring new launch and mission concepts to life. This team is also responsible for the formulation and implementation of classified missions on HASTE and Electron launch vehicles and play a key role in developing future missions for Electron and Neutron. Given the high launch cadence of Electron and pace of Neutron development, you will have unparalleled opportunities for end-to-end hardware development and seeing your designs reach space.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
  • Primary Avionics Design engineering contact to Business Development for proposal and mission concepts, including:
    • Electron and Neutron mission operational concept development
    • Electrical and RF design and analysis for unique payload accommodations including processing, vehicle integration, and launch site
    • Designing and documenting electrical schematics, harnesses, and kits, including custom vehicle electrical schematics, and providing detailed pinouts for all electrical interfaces to payloads or deployers.
    • Working with external stakeholders and customers for mission-specific requirements engineering
    • Documenting the proposed avionics design solution and participating in design reviews with the customer
  • Work with the Rocket Lab Engineering and Production teams to:
    • Develop tools and processes for automating common proposal analysis tasks
    • Participate in program execution of Electron and Neutron system commissioning and calibration

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical, aerospace engineering or other technical discipline
  • 5+ years of working experience in engineering
  • Experience developing full design solutions for significant avionics or electrical systems in orbital launch vehicle or missile systems
  • Active DoD US Government Secret security clearance or, ability to obtain and maintain one

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
  • Active TS/SCI clearance
  • Rapid conceptual design iteration experience
  • Hands-on development and testing experience: FPGA, ARM processors, etc.
  • Ability to take a product from concept through to production with little supervision
  • Master's or PhD in electrical engineering or aerospace engineering
  • Experience with requirements assessments and interface control document generation
  • Creative, analytical, good at problem solving
  • Ability to work on own initiative and to plan daily workflow to meet higher level tasks

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)

$144,275-$190,675 USD

Base Salary

$124,000-$155,000 USD

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a private American aerospace manufacturer and small satellite launch service provider. The company was founded in 2006 by New Zealander Peter Beck. Rocket Lab's Electron rocket is designed to launch small payloads of up to 300 kg into low Earth orbit. The company has launched several successful missions and has contracts with NASA and other organizations. Rocket Lab has raised over $200 million in funding and has offices in the United States and New Zealand.
Learn more about Rocket Lab
Size
500 employees
Market Cap
$1.6 billion
Industry
Founded
2006
NASDAQ

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