Senior Harness Design Engineer I Verified today

About the Role

Based in Long Beach, CA, you will design, develop, and integrate electrical harnesses for Rocket Lab spacecraft. You'll define interfaces, select components, specify split locations and lengths, and generate design documentation to support the spacecraft engineering team. You will collaborate with systems engineering, mechanical engineering, and assembly, integration, and test (AIT) teams to ensure seamless harness integration.

This role emphasizes electrical engineering principles, including wiring diagram development, interface definition, and electrical system architecture interpretation, from design through fabrication and integration.

What You'll Do

Harness Design and Engineering

• Design and develop electrical harness systems for spacecraft, including connector and backshell selection, wire selection, shielding, and routing.
• Generate wiring diagrams, pinout tables, and interface definitions based on spacecraft interconnect diagrams.
• Collaborate with systems engineering to interpret system architecture and define electrical interfaces.
• Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) for harness systems in the product lifecycle management (PLM) tool.
• Develop and maintain fabrication drawings and documentation using tools such as Capital Essentials, NX, and Teamcenter.
• Support harness fabrication processes, ensuring compliance with space-grade standards and industry best practices.
• Define and verify harness acceptance criteria, including electrical testing and inspection.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure proper integration of harnesses into spacecraft.

Electrical Engineering

• Perform electrical design and analysis to ensure harness systems meet performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements.
• Support electrical system schematics and harness design documentation.
• Participate in design reviews, providing technical input and ensuring harness designs meet program requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve electrical issues related to harness systems during fabrication, integration, and testing.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, or other engineering discipline
• 5+ years of electrical engineering or avionics experience

Desirable Experience

• Master's or PhD in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering, or other engineering discipline
• Experience in aerospace or defense industry
• Experience supporting satellite development programs and satellite operations
• Proficiency in electrical engineering principles: power distribution, signal integrity, grounding, and communication systems (RS-422, SPI, Ethernet, CAN bus)
• Experience with harness design tools such as Capital Essentials, NX, and Teamcenter
• Familiarity with industry standards for harness design and fabrication (NASA-STD-8739.4, IPC/WHMA-A-620)
• Experience with electrical testing of harness systems: continuity testing, insulation resistance testing, and functional testing
• Knowledge of thermal and mechanical considerations for harness routing and integration
• Familiarity with requirement management tools such as JAMA
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing priorities
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret Clearance

Compensation and Benefits

Total Compensation: $144,275 to $206,175 USD (includes base salary and equity grant value)

Base Salary: $124,000 to $170,500 USD

Base salary and total compensation determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.

Benefits include company stock ownership, Employee Stock Purchase Program (15% discount), medical plans (HMO, PPO, zero-cost HDHP with HSA 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, 401(k) with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and additional employee discounts.

Work Environment

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.

Employment Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.