Rocket Lab

Senior Electrical Engineer I/II

Rocket Lab$124K — $212K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 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
  • Able to develop 'blank sheet of paper' design concepts
  • Experience in PCBA design with FPGAs
  • Experience in motor control applications
  • Proficiency performing circuit analyses using SPICE
  • Proficiency with board bring-up and debug

Responsibilities

  • Own hardware development for robotics and motor control applications
  • Drive architecture decisions to enhance control algorithms
  • Develop PCBA requirements in collaboration with engineering teams
  • Conduct PCBA design verification and system integration testing
  • Oversee and mentor support engineers in layout and testing
  • Provide manufacturing support as required
  • Investigate failures and root causes for units in various operational stages

Benefits

  • Company stock as part of total compensation package
  • Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount
  • Comprehensive medical plans and a significant HSA contribution
  • Dental and vision coverage
  • Paid vacation and sick time, plus 11 paid holidays
  • Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
  • Paid parental leave
  • Disability and life insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Subsidized EV charging and onsite fitness centers (where available)
  • Complimentary snacks and beverages
  • 50% employee discount on company merchandise
Full Job Description
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. Leveraging Mars-proven expertise from Motiv Space Systems, we deliver scalable, flight-proven solutions - such as robotic arms, motion control systems, and solar array drive assemblies (SADAs) - to support planetary exploration, satellite servicing, and national security missions.

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.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
  • End to end ownership of hardware for robotics and motor control applications
  • Drive architecture decisions to advance our control algorithms
    • Work with FPGA and Micro-Controller systems
  • Develop PCBA requirements in collaboration with other engineering disciplines
    • PCBA design verification testing and system integration testing
    • Own environmental tests including EMI/EMC, TVAC, Shock, Vibe, etc.
  • Schematic capture and PCB layout using Altium Designer
  • Oversight and mentorship of support engineers (layout, analysis, test, etc.)
  • Production manufacturing support as needed
  • 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
  • Able to develop "blank sheet of paper" design concepts
  • Experience in PCBA design with FPGAs
  • Experience in motor control applications
  • Experience with analog signal chains
  • Proficiency performing circuit analyses using SPICE
  • Proficiency with board bring-up and debug

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
  • 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 Altium Designer in schematic capture and layout
  • Proficiency with PCBA verification and validation
  • Experience with Librero
  • 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
  • Experience with modeling systems such as Simulink

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • U.S. citizenship required, due to program requirements

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.

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.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)

$124,000-$212,000 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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