Electrical Test Engineer

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.  

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. 

ABOUT SPACE SYSTEMS AT ROCKET LAB:

Rocket Lab's Space Systems team is responsible for every satellite and satellite component made by Rocket Lab: from complete satellites destined for missions to the Moon and Mars, to the individual components and subsystems that make up a satellite like solar panels, flight software, reaction wheels and star trackers, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team is made up of engineers and technicians who design, create, and put together our own satellites for missions across the commercial, government, and defense sectors, or who build and assemble satellite hardware and software that supports other satellite missions.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

As a member of the Ion Propulsion Team, you will be on the front-line of cutting-edge avionics hardware development. You will have the unique opportunity to support the creation, test, and deployment of avionics hardware and systems that go into orbit. This includes, but is not limited to, power electronic systems, high-voltage components, and high reliability control electronics. Your role working with avionics hardware is critical in ensuring quality and reliability in a fast-paced development environment all the way through to scale production.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Work hands on and take ownership for verifying that hardware meets all requirements and will complete our missions successfully
• Collaborate with design engineers and external customers to generate and document test requirements, based on system functional requirements
• Contribute to improving designs for reliability and testability; completing risk analysis and failure mode effects and criticality analysis (FMECA)
• Develop, plan, and execute test campaigns for avionics components to test their performance and function in various environments like random vibration, mechanical shock, thermal vacuum, and radiation
• Test data analysis and reporting, anomaly root cause investigation and troubleshooting; ensuring that any issues found in test are fully resolved in the final hardware
• Create documentation for procedures, maintenance, and calibration of new test systems. Provide training and ongoing support for the use of new test

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• A passion for engineering, keen attention to detail, and eagerness to learn
• Bachelor's degree in an applicable engineering field and 3+ years of experience with hardware development or electronics test engineering
• Strong interest in, and hands-on experience with, power electronics, microcontrollers, analogue measurement circuits, and/or other types of PCBAs
• Firm understanding of instrumentation, interfaces and sensors including power supplies, oscilloscopes, serial devices, accelerometers, thermocouples, RTDs, and 4-20mA sensors

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience both in fast-paced R&D and large scale production environments
• Experience in environmental or accelerated life testing, such as vibration, shock, thermal, and TVAC.
• Proven trouble-shooting skills and the ability to make recommendations based on limited data
• Programming experience in a language such as C, C++, Python, or MATLAB
• Capable of creating training packages and training others in area of responsibility

If this sounds like you - Apply today 

WHAT TO EXPECT 

We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other's backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.   

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 Johnson at 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.