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Salary: USD 82,400 - 113,300 / annual
Rocket Lab is seeking a HITL Engineer I to design, maintain, and operate hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) systems for spacecraft buses. Based at Rocket Lab's Long Beach headquarters, you will support the HITL Manager and Shared Services organization, working on systems that have enabled over 1,700 missions including interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing, and national security initiatives.
Key responsibilities include:
- Design, build, operate, and maintain HITL systems for Rocket Lab spacecraft buses
- Work hands-on with test and flight hardware in a cross-disciplinary team
- Verify functionality and performance of spacecraft buses
- Operate launch vehicle simulation platforms for day-of-launch operations
- Create and maintain technical documentation including system diagrams, schematics, ICDs, procedures, and test/anomaly reports
- Analyze test results against pass/fail criteria
- Troubleshoot root causes from anomalies and communicate findings to internal teams, vendors, and customers
- Provide critical review of test plans, procedures, and documentation
- Operate and capture data from test equipment (DMMs, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, etc.)
The role involves prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
REQUIREMENTS:
- U.S. citizenship required due to ITAR program requirements
- Bachelor's degree in mechatronics, electronics, computer science, aerospace engineering, or related field
- Experience with electronics testing
- Experience designing and implementing electronics test systems
NICE-TO-HAVE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master's degree in mechatronics, electronics, computer science, aerospace engineering, or related field
- Prior experience with PIL/HIL test environments or avionics testing
- Code verification and validation experience
- Ability to create technical documentation via system diagrams, schematics, ICDs, procedures, test/anomaly reports
- Theoretical and practical understanding of electronic systems
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
- Familiarity with RS485/422/232, CAN, LVDS protocols
- CAD experience for test fixture and support equipment design
- Harnessing design and troubleshooting knowledge
- Strong understanding of sensors, signal conditioning, and data acquisition electronics
- Ethernet TCP/IP networking experience (switching, routing, subnetting, managed switches)
- Exposure to spacecraft systems or similar complex autonomous systems
- Experience with PLCs, relays, and power systems
- Programming experience with Python, C++, Linux, CI/CD, Git
- CAD tools: NX, VeSys, RapidHarness, SolidWorks
- Containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes, VMs)
- Experience designing and building HITL test rigs at scale
- RF systems experience
- Self-motivated with strong communication skills
