Senior Avionics Engineer I - Mission Formulation

Rocket Lab Corporation
Littleton, CO

Who this role is best for

Geared toward candidates with avionics design experience and a track record of working on classified missions, comfortable with high launch cadence and tight deadlines.

Best fit for

  • Individuals who have developed full avionics solutions and can manage complex payload interfaces
    — “Designing and documenting electrical schematics, harnesses, and kits, including custom vehicle electrical schematics, and providing detailed pinouts for all electrical interfaces to payloads or deployers.”
  • Engineers who can work independently and deliver under tight deadlines with minimal supervision
    — “Ability to take a product from concept through to production with little supervision”

Things to consider

  • Security clearance is a mandatory requirement, which may limit candidate eligibility.
    — “Active DoD US Government Secret security clearance or, ability to obtain and maintain one”
  • Candidates must be physically present at the Littleton, CO site and able to commute.
    — “Must be physically able to commute to buildings”
  • The role may involve exposure to dust, fumes, and moderate noise levels.
    — “Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with classified mission formulation and avionics design for launch vehicles.
    — “formulation and implementation of classified missions on HASTE and Electron launch vehicles”
  • Showcase your ability to work with external stakeholders and manage requirements engineering.
    — “Working with external stakeholders and customers for mission-specific requirements engineering”
  • Emphasize your ability to design and document electrical interfaces and systems.
    — “Designing and documenting electrical schematics, harnesses, and kits”
  • Quantify your experience in avionics design for orbital launch systems or missiles.
    — “Experience developing full design solutions for significant avionics or electrical systems in orbital launch vehicle or missile systems”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • 5+ years of engineering experience
  • active DoD US Government Secret security clearance
Typical background
electrical engineeringavionics designmission formulation

Skills & requirements

Required

Avionics DesignElectrical EngineeringRF DesignMission FormulationPayload AccommodationsDesign Reviews

Preferred

Ts/sci ClearanceRapid Conceptual Design IterationFPGA DevelopmentARM ProcessorsRequirements AssessmentsInterface Control Document Generation

Stack & domain

Electron And Neutron Mission Operational Concept DevelopmentElectrical And RF Design And AnalysisCustom Vehicle Electrical SchematicsFPGAARM ProcessorsRequirements AssessmentsInterface Control Document GenerationCreativeAnalyticalProblem SolvingWorking On Own InitiativePlanning Daily WorkflowClear CommunicationCalm Under PressureDod US Government Secret Security ClearanceTs/sci ClearanceAvionicsElectrical SystemsOrbital Launch VehicleMissile SystemsLaunch SitePayload Accommodations

About the role

Original posting from Rocket Lab Corporation via Greenhouse

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SENIOR AVIONICS ENGINEER I - MISSION FORMULATION

Based out of Rocket Lab's site in Littleton, CO the Senior Avionics Engineer I – Mission Formulation is responsible for developing high-performance launch vehicle systems in support of the Launch Systems Business Development and Strategy team.  

The Senior Avionics Engineer I - Mission Formulation is an integral part of Rocket Lab’s Global Launch Services (GLS) Mission Formulation Team which works closely with other Engineering teams and Production to bring new launch and mission concepts to life. This team is also responsible for the formulation and implementation of classified missions on HASTE and Electron launch vehicles and play a key role in developing future missions for Electron and Neutron. Given the high launch cadence of Electron and pace of Neutron development, you will have unparalleled opportunities for end-to-end hardware development and seeing your designs reach space.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

Primary Avionics Design engineering contact to Business Development for proposal and mission concepts, including:

Electron and Neutron mission operational concept development

Electrical and RF design and analysis for unique payload accommodations including processing, vehicle integration, and launch site

Designing and documenting electrical schematics, harnesses, and kits, including custom vehicle electrical schematics, and providing detailed pinouts for all electrical interfaces to payloads or deployers.

Working with external stakeholders and customers for mission-specific requirements engineering

Documenting the proposed avionics design solution and participating in design reviews with the customer

Work with the Rocket Lab Engineering and Production teams to:

Develop tools and processes for automating common proposal analysis tasks

Participate in program execution of Electron and Neutron system commissioning and calibration

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in electrical, aerospace engineering or other technical discipline

5+ years of working experience in engineering

Experience developing full design solutions for significant avionics or electrical systems in orbital launch vehicle or missile systems

Active DoD US Government Secret security clearance or, ability to obtain and maintain one

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:  

Active TS/SCI clearance

Rapid conceptual design iteration experience

Hands-on development and testing experience: FPGA, ARM processors, etc.

Ability to take a product from concept through to production with little supervision

Master’s or PhD in electrical engineering or aerospace engineering

Experience with requirements assessments and interface control document generation

Creative, analytical, good at problem solving

Ability to work on own initiative and to plan daily workflow to meet higher level tasks

Clear communication skills and calm under pressure

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus   

Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing

Must be physically able to commute to buildings 

Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise 

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. 

Base salary is only one part of Rocket Lab’s compensation package for this role. You may be eligible for company stock, or cash incentives, and can purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab’s Employee Stock Purchase Program. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.  

Base Pay Range (CO Only)$124,000—$155,000 USDWHAT TO EXPECT 

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.   

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), 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. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant.  These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations. 

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.  For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.

Source: Rocket Lab Corporation careers (Greenhouse)

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