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Rocket Lab is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to lead avionics hardware development for advanced electro-optical (EO) systems serving Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Based at the Optical Systems site in Chantilly, VA, you will provide technical leadership across the full lifecycle of mission-critical space-based payload hardware, from requirements definition through design, prototyping, fabrication, testing, and production.
In this role, you will drive system architecture and technology roadmaps for EO sensors across all orbital domains. You'll oversee the design and integration of complex electronics including FPGAs, microcontrollers, ADCs/DACs, and VPX systems at both system and module levels. You'll architect payload-level designs integrating motor controllers, processing units, imagers, and cryptographic devices while mentoring engineering teams and ensuring compliance with industry standards and security requirements.
Key responsibilities include establishing design standards in Altium Designer, leading PCBA requirements development through cross-functional collaboration, and overseeing verification, validation, and integration test strategies. You'll direct environmental qualification programs (EMI/EMC, TVAC, shock, vibration) and provide technical leadership on failure analysis and root-cause investigations. Leadership duties encompass mentoring engineering teams, building relationships with suppliers and manufacturing partners, driving DFM strategy and yield optimization, and delivering high-impact technical recommendations to executive leadership.
You'll bring 12+ years of progressive electrical hardware design experience in aerospace or high-reliability industries, with demonstrated technical leadership on complex programs. A Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline is required. You must have proven ability to architect innovative "blank sheet of paper" design solutions for mission-critical aerospace systems and extensive experience in advanced PCBA design, including high-speed digital and mixed-signal circuits with FPGAs.
