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Salary: USD 124,800 - 171,600 / annual
Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Avionics Automation Test Engineer II to join the Space Systems team at the Long Beach headquarters. The Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and critical subsystems including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios. The 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.
In this role, you will be responsible for automating and improving the testing efficiency of both individual avionics components and completed satellites. Your key responsibilities will include:
- Develop automated testing software to support test programs
- Collaborate with hardware design engineers to develop efficient testing strategies for Acceptance and Qualification test programs
- Support the design and development of space flight hardware to increase design for testability and manufacturability
- Support and improve manufacturing and production software tools
- Contribute to the development of engineering and business processes to support Rocket Lab's growth and capability
You will work in a fast-paced environment where the team moves quickly to build real hardware for meaningful missions. The role may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
QUALIFICATIONS (Required):
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline
- 8+ years of programming experience in Python in the context of mid or large-scale applications
- 8+ years of experience with electronics test engineering, spacecraft systems engineering, or hardware development
- Experience with software development on a Linux platform
- Understanding of electrical test equipment, test procedures, data acquisition systems, and instrumentation
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements (ITAR compliance)
QUALIFICATIONS (Nice to Have):
- Space industry experience in integration and/or test with spacecraft
- Experience with communication protocols like TCP/UDP, serial communication, or similar
- Experience working with software unit testing, such as pytest or robot framework
- Experience working in a hardware or spacecraft production environment
- Experience with JavaScript or TypeScript
