Electrical Engineer I

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company that builds rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. The company supports missions that keep the world connected and protected, and that extend human reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The team moves fast, builds real hardware for meaningful missions, and works to make the difficult routine.

Space Systems

The Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and the components and subsystems that help them operate in space, such as solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.

The team has supported more than 1,700 missions, from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security and defense work. It has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

Electrical Engineer I

Rocket Lab Robotics builds high-performance robotic systems and precision mechanisms for ambitious space missions, including NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover and CADRE lunar rovers. Drawing on Mars-proven expertise from Motiv Space Systems, the team delivers flight-proven robotic arms, motion control systems, and solar array drive assemblies (SADAs) for planetary exploration, satellite servicing, and national security missions.

Based at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA, the Electrical Engineer I will help develop and test avionics hardware for robotics programs. You will work with engineers from other disciplines and take part in all stages of electrical hardware development, from requirements definition through design, prototyping, fabrication, testing, and production. The role suits people who enjoy robotics hardware design and want to learn in a fast-paced setting.

What You'll Do

• Gain experience in robotics and motor control applications.
• Gain experience with FPGA and microcontroller applications.
• Take end-to-end ownership of Electronic Ground Support Equipment.
• Create schematics and PCB layouts using Altium Designer.
• Perform circuit analysis, including stress and worst-case analysis.
• Carry out PCBA design verification testing and system integration testing.
• Support production manufacturing as needed.

Compensation and Benefits

Rocket Lab offers competitive base pay plus company stock as part of total compensation, giving employees a direct stake in the company's growth. Level and base salary are decided case by case, based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Benefits include an Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock, medical plans (HMO, PPO, and an HDHP option with an HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) with company match. Perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, snacks and beverages, and employee discounts.

This position may require prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.