Rocket Lab is a vertically integrated provider of small launch services, satellites, and spacecraft components. Our mission is to open access to space to improve life on Earth. Our team is over 1,500 people strong and we’re adding to it every week. Collaboration is at our core – every idea is heard, and everyone makes a difference. Teams are nimble, decisions are made quickly, and we are action oriented.

Life at Rocket Lab

SPACE SYSTEMS

This is a rare opportunity to play a key role in Rocket Lab’s evolution into an end-to-end space company that delivers launch, spacecraft, and on-orbit operations. The Space Systems Division is shaping Rocket Lab’s future with Photon, our brand of high-performance satellites, enabling innovative missions in low Earth orbit and beyond including missions for NASA to LEO, the Moon, and Mars and commercial customers, including leading the design and manufacture of 17 high-power telecommunication spacecraft buses for Globalstar.

Rocket Lab is also growing our spacecraft components business, anchored on the acquisition of Sinclair Interplanetary manufacturing reaction wheels and star trackers in Toronto, SolAero Technologies manufacturing solar power and primary structure solutions in Albuquerque, Planetary Systems Corporation manufacturing launch separation systems in Silver Spring, and Advanced Solutions, Inc., provider of flight and ground software as a service in Denver. Our components business is key to vertically integrating our spacecraft solutions and enabling constellations for customers.

HITL LEAD

Based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the HITL Lead is responsible for designing, maintaining, and operating hardware in the loop (HITL) systems. You will lead the HITL team and provide support to the Space Systems organization, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

Lead a small team dedicated to designing, operating, and maintaining the HITL systems to support all of Rocket Lab’s spacecraft missions
Ensure the HITL systems are subjected to an appropriate level of engineering rigor and documentation
Work in a cross-disciplinary team to verify the functionality and performance of the Photon spacecraft bus
Prioritize, manage, and drive multiple projects at the same time
Give transparency to the wider business on current project statuses, key blockers, and accommodate any discussions which can unlock current or future blockers
Assess and estimate technical requirements and capacity for projects
Expand and develop the HITL team, increasing its capacity for future projects

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS (Note: you must meet every qualification in order to be considered):

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, or aerospace engineering; or other engineering discipline
5+ years of engineering experience
Experience leading or managing a team in a technical setting

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

Master’s or PhD in mechanical, electrical, or aerospace engineering; or other engineering discipline
Ability to understand and create technical documentation via system diagrams, schematics, ICDs, procedures, test/anomaly reports
Proven track record of leading a team to deliver multiple complete and successful engineering projects from conception to operation
Strong troubleshooting skills and an aptitude for technical guidance and mentoring of junior engineers
Ability to function as a technical contributor while managing a team
Ability to work under pressure and adhere to tight deadlines
Experience with harnessing manufacture, electrical connectors, crimping, and soldering
RF experience, especially related to spectral analyzers and other ground support equipment
Computer networking experience
Familiarity with CAD for test fixture and support equipment layout/design
Experience reading engineering drawings
Experience with PLCs, relays, and power systems
Familiarity with Python, C++, Linux, CI/CD, Git, NX, and SolidWorks
Knowledge of spacecraft systems or similar highly complex and autonomous systems
Experience with general design, documentation, and presentation in Microsoft Suite (Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Experience with quality reporting and management, work instruction peer review, test procedure or data review, and time recording in Jira
Experience supporting production engineers

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

In addition to base salary, Rocket Lab offers a comprehensive total compensation package based on individual qualifications and experience, which may include cash or equity incentives. Employees will also be eligible for medical, dental, vision coverage, 401(k) retirement plan options, and to purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab's Employee Stock Purchase Program.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)

$125,000—$165,000 USD

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 Biow 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.

This job is no longer accepting applications

See open jobs at Rocket Lab.See open jobs similar to "HITL Lead" Khosla Ventures.

See more open positions at Rocket Lab

Privacy policy Cookie policy