AstroTalentSpace Jobs

Principal Electrical Engineer Verified today

Rocket Lab · Chantilly, VA · Electronics · first seen 2026-09-05
Apply at Rocket Lab →

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, including work with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

The Role

As Principal Electrical Engineer for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Chantilly, VA, you will support the development and test of avionics hardware for electro-optical systems serving Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. You will work across the full lifecycle: requirements definition, design, prototyping, fabrication, testing, and production.

Hardware Design and Architecture

  • Provide technical leadership for avionics hardware lifecycle for advanced electro-optical systems
  • Drive system architecture and technology roadmaps for EO sensors across all orbital domains
  • Oversee design and integration of complex electronics (FPGA, microcontroller, ADC/DAC, VPX) at system and module levels
  • Architect and review payload-level designs integrating motor controllers, processing units, imagers, and cryptographic devices
  • Mentor engineering teams and ensure compliance with industry standards and security requirements
  • Establish standards for schematic capture and PCBA layout in Altium Designer

Requirements, Verification and Qualification

  • Lead PCBA requirements development through cross-functional collaboration
  • Establish and oversee verification, validation, and integration test strategies
  • Direct environmental qualification programs (EMI/EMC, TVAC, shock, vibration)
  • Provide technical leadership and sign-off for failure analysis and root-cause investigations

Leadership and Collaboration

  • Provide strategic technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams
  • Build and manage relationships with suppliers, manufacturing partners, and executive stakeholders
  • Drive production manufacturing initiatives, leading DFM strategy and yield optimization
  • Lead critical design reviews and deliver recommendations to executive leadership

Required Qualifications

  • Master's in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or 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
  • Proven ability to architect innovative designs for mission-critical aerospace systems
  • Extensive experience in advanced PCBA design with high-speed digital and mixed-signal circuits, 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 track record of high-performance, low-noise aerospace solutions
  • High proficiency in circuit analysis and simulation using SPICE, MATLAB, and 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

Desired Qualifications

  • 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

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary range (VA): $173,300 to $259,850 USD. Benefits include company stock or cash incentives, discounted stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program, medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, paid vacation, holidays, sick leave, paid parental leave, and other discounts and perks.