Senior Integration & Test Engineer I

Rocket Lab Corporation • Long Beach, CA

10d • $108,800 - $149,600 • Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab’s Senior Integration & Test Engineer I is based at the company’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California. The role is responsible for developing, testing, and deploying flight spacecraft systems, as well as developing, maintaining, and upgrading the test systems used for that hardware. The engineer supports the Space Systems organization and provides deliverables for internal leadership, the board of directors, and investors.

The position leads integration and test campaigns throughout spacecraft development, works with team members on system requirements and verification and validation plans, and develops test plans for acceptance, qualification, and research and development. It also involves operating environmental test systems, maintaining ground-support equipment and facilities, working with ground-test software and flight-software configurations, investigating anomalous vehicle behavior, and interfacing with hardware-in-the-loop test systems.

The role may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. Compensation includes base pay and company equity. The posted annual base salary range is $108,800–$149,600, and the total compensation range, including equity, is $129,075–$185,275. Actual level and base salary may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, electronics, mechatronics, aerospace, or another engineering discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in test engineering or another hands-on engineering role.
• Experience with environmental testing, such as thermal vacuum or random vibration testing.
• Proficiency with C, C++, Python, or MATLAB, and Windows 10 and Microsoft Office products.
• Experience writing technical documentation, such as procedures, reports, and requirements.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s or Ph.D. in electrical, electronics, mechatronics, aerospace, or another engineering discipline.
• At least 4 years of professional experience as a test engineer in the aerospace industry.
• Strong understanding of satellite subsystems, including CDH, ADCS, EPS, and COMM.
• Experience working in a clean room and with ESD-sensitive equipment.
• Hands-on experience using electrical test equipment, such as a PSU, oscilloscope, and DMM.
• Exposure to designing and implementing test systems for electronics.
• Understanding of sensors, signal conditioning, and data-acquisition electronics.
• Familiarity with spacecraft harness design and best practices.
• Experience with 3D CAD software, preferably NX.
• Experience with RF testing and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Basic knowledge of networking.
• Experience with Linux systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and own integration and test campaigns at various levels of spacecraft development.
• Collaborate with team members to define system requirements and verification and validation plans.
• Develop acceptance, qualification, and research and development test plans for spacecraft systems.
• Develop, maintain, and operate environmental test systems, including vibration, thermal vacuum, thermal, and EMI systems.
• Develop and maintain mechanical and electrical ground-support equipment and facilities.
• Interface with ground-test software and implement flight-software configuration changes.
• Lead investigations into anomalous vehicle behavior.
• Interface with hardware-in-the-loop test systems.

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 coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
• Paid parental leave.
• Disability insurance.
• 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 merchandise store.
• Other employee discounts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior