Senior HITL Engineer I
About The Position
The Senior HITL Engineer I designs, builds, operates, and maintains hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) systems for Rocket Lab spacecraft buses. Based at Rocket Lab’s headquarters in Long Beach, California, the role supports the HITL Manager, Shared Services, and the Space Systems organization. The engineer works hands-on with test and flight hardware and collaborates across disciplines to verify spacecraft-bus functionality and performance. The position also includes operating a launch-vehicle simulation platform for Day of Launch operations on specific missions. The role involves creating and maintaining technical documentation, analyzing test data against pass/fail criteria, troubleshooting anomalies and communicating root causes and next steps, and reviewing test plans, procedures, and documentation. The engineer operates test equipment such as DMMs, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and spectrum analyzers. This position may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
Requirements
- U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
- Bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, electronics, computer science, aerospace engineering, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of engineering experience with hardware or software development.
- Experience with electronics testing.
- Experience designing and implementing electronics test systems.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in mechatronics, electronics, computer science, aerospace engineering, or a related field.
- Prior experience working in a PIL/HIL test environment or with avionics testing.
- Prior experience with code verification and validation.
- Ability to understand and create technical documentation, including system diagrams, schematics, ICDs, procedures, and test/anomaly reports.
- Theoretical and practical understanding of electronic systems.
- Ability to work under pressure and adhere to tight deadlines.
- Familiarity with RS485/422/232, CAN, and LVDS protocols.
- Familiarity with CAD for test-fixture and support-equipment layout and design.
- Familiarity with harness design and troubleshooting.
- Strong understanding of sensors, signal conditioning, and data-acquisition electronics.
- Ethernet TCP/IP networking experience, including switching, routing, and subnetting managed switches.
- Exposure to spacecraft systems or similarly complex and autonomous systems.
- Experience with PLCs, relays, and power systems.
- Experience with Python, C++, Linux, CI/CD, Git, NX, VeSys, RapidHarness, or SolidWorks.
- Familiarity with containerization technologies such as Docker, Kubernetes, and virtual machines.
- Experience designing and building HITL test rigs at scale.
- RF systems experience.
- Ability to be self-motivated.
- Strong communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Design, build, operate, and maintain HITL systems for Rocket Lab spacecraft buses.
- Work hands-on with test and flight hardware.
- Collaborate with a cross-disciplinary team to verify spacecraft-bus functionality and performance.
- Operate a launch-vehicle simulation platform for Day of Launch operations on specific missions.
- Create and maintain technical documentation, including system diagrams, schematics, ICDs, procedures, and test/anomaly reports.
- Analyze raw test data against pass/fail criteria.
- Troubleshoot anomalies to determine root causes and communicate results and next steps to internal teams, vendors, and customers.
- Critically review test plans, procedures, and documentation.
- Operate test equipment and capture data using equipment such as DMMs, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and spectrum analyzers.
Benefits
- Company stock as part of total compensation.
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
- Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a company 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) retirement plan with company match.
- Subsidized EV charging.
- Onsite fitness centers where available.
- Discounted gym memberships.
- Complimentary snacks and beverages.
- 50% employee discount on the company merch store.
- Other employee discounts.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
