Senior Harness Engineer I/II - Top Secret Clearance

Rocket Lab Corporation•Long Beach, CA

21h•$124,000 - $189,000•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations. Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. SPACE SYSTEMS At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions. SENIOR HARNESS DESIGN ENGINEER I/II Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Harness Design Engineer I/II will primarily focus on the design, development, and integration of electrical harnesses for our spacecraft. This includes defining interfaces, selecting components, specifying split locations and lengths, and generating design documentation to support the spacecraft engineering team. The Harness Design Engineer will also collaborate with systems engineering, mechanical engineering, and assembly, integration, and test (AIT) teams to ensure seamless integration of harness systems into our spacecraft. This role emphasizes electrical engineering principles, including wiring diagram development, interface definition, and electrical system architecture interpretation, while supporting the full lifecycle of harness engineering from design to fabrication and integration. (Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Harness Design Engineer I or Senior Harness Design Engineer II level)

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering; or other engineering degree
5+ years of electrical engineering or avionics experience (for Senior Harness Design Engineer I)
8+ years of electrical engineering or avionics experience (for Senior Harness Design Engineer II)
Active Top Secret Clearance
Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or PhD in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering; or other engineering degree
Experience in the aerospace/defense industry
Experience supporting satellite development programs and satellite operations
Proficiency in electrical engineering principles, including power distribution, signal integrity, grounding, and communication systems (e.g., 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 (e.g., NASA-STD-8739.4, IPC/WHMA-A-620).
Experience with electrical testing of harness systems, including 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.

Responsibilities

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 for harness systems 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 for harness systems 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 (e.g., systems engineering, mechanical engineering, and AIT) to ensure proper integration of harnesses into spacecraft.
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.