Principal Electrical Engineer

The role

Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community 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, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Principal Electrical Engineer for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to support the development and test of avionics hardware for our electro-optical optical systems. In this role 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.

All jobs

Principal Electrical Engineer

Rocket Lab Corporation, Tucson, AZ +1

The role

What you need

Requirements & Verification

Lead PCBA requirements development through cross-functional collaboration, ensuring alignment with system objectives
Establish and oversee verification, validation, and integration test strategies
Direct environmental qualification programs (EMI/EMC, TVAC, shock, vibration), ensuring compliance with standards
Provide technical leadership and sign-off for failure analysis and root-cause investigations, driving continuous improvement

You’ll bring these qualifications

Master’s in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent advanced experience)
12+ years of progressive electrical hardware design experience in aerospace or related high-reliability industries, with demonstrated technical leadership on complex programs
Proven ability to architect and deliver innovative "blank sheet of paper" design solutions for mission-critical aerospace systems
Extensive experience in advanced PCBA design, including high-speed digital and mixed-signal circuits with FPGAs, ASICs, and microcontrollers
Deep expertise in FPGA architecture and embedded software development for ARM-based systems
Deep expertise in system-level integration of processors, FPGAs, switch mode power supplies, high-speed communication interfaces, and precision analog instrumentation
Strong analog electronics design, with a track record of delivering high-performance, low-noise solutions for aerospace applications
High proficiency in circuit analysis and simulation using SPICE, MATLAB, and other industry-standard tools
Extensive experience architecting electronics for space environments, with deep knowledge of radiation effects (SEU/SEL) and mitigation strategies
Leadership in PCBA verification, validation, and qualification for flight hardware
Expert in advanced electronic lab instrumentation and hands-on prototyping for complex system bring-up and troubleshooting
U.S. citizenship required due to government and program security requirements
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance

These qualifications would be nice to have

Proven track record designing high-reliability aerospace hardware for extreme environments (TVAC, shock, vibration)
Advanced expertise in EMI/EMC compliance, testing, and mitigation for aerospace systems
Mastery of Altium Designer for schematic capture, multi-layer PCB layout, and design reviews
Experience designing rigid-flex PCBs and integrating electromechanical systems
Active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance

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.

Principal Electrical Engineer

The role

Principal Electrical Engineer

The role

What you need

Requirements & Verification

You’ll bring these qualifications

These qualifications would be nice to have

Space systems

Hardware Design & Architecture

Leadership & Collaboration

What to expect

For candidates seeking to work in us offices only

For candidates seeking to work in new zealand offices only

About Rocket Lab Corporation

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Interview questions

Rocket Lab Corporation