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Rocket Lab is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to join its Optical Systems division in Tucson, Arizona. This role focuses on developing and testing avionics hardware for electro-optical (EO) systems serving Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers.
In this position, you will provide technical leadership across the full lifecycle of avionics hardware development for advanced EO systems. Key responsibilities include architecting system designs and technology roadmaps for EO sensors across orbital domains, overseeing the design and integration of complex electronics including FPGAs, microcontrollers, ADCs/DACs, and VPX systems at both system and module levels. You will architect and review 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.
You will establish and maintain standards for schematic capture and PCBA layout using Altium Designer, ensuring quality and reliability through critical design reviews. Leading requirements development through cross-functional collaboration, you will establish verification, validation, and integration test strategies. You will direct environmental qualification programs including EMI/EMC, TVAC, shock, and vibration testing to ensure compliance with applicable standards.
Additionally, you will provide strategic technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams, fostering talent development and technical excellence. You will build and manage key relationships with suppliers, manufacturing partners, and executive stakeholders. You will drive production manufacturing initiatives, leading design-for-manufacturability strategy, yield optimization, and process innovation across programs. Finally, you will lead critical design reviews and deliver high-impact technical recommendations to executive leadership and cross-functional teams.
Rocket Lab's Space Systems team has enabled over 1,700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration to national security initiatives, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
