Senior Systems Test Engineer

Senior System Test Engineer I

Based out of Rocket Lab's office in Littleton, CO, the Senior System Test Engineer I is responsible for the development and maintenance of technical budgets, requirements definition, test planning and execution, and overall management of the systems engineering process. You will support the Chief Space Systems Engineer and Space Systems organization, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.

• Design, document, review and execute tests on spacecraft avionics
• Plan, write and execute test scripts that verify hardware/software interfaces and validate requirements
• Author and review test plans, hardware drawings, test summary and reports; design, specify and procure test fixtures and other hardware as needed
• Collaborate with flight software developers and Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) engineers to troubleshoot hardware and software anomalies
• Communicate plans and results with leadership, team and customers
• Travel to customer and vendor facilities to aid hardware delivery, checkout and commissioning

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline
• 5+ years of experience developing or testing electrical systems (avionics, automotive, spacecraft)
• Programming experience with Python or similar scripting languages
• Demonstrated knowledge of RLC circuit design and test equipment (DMMs, oscilloscopes, etc.)
• Ability to obtain a Security clearance and maintain one
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements

• Master's degree in aerospace, computer science, electrical engineering
• Experience testing spacecraft avionics according to customer and internally derived requirements
• Understanding of hardware design from concept to production
• Experience testing or working with radio frequency communication systems
• Familiarity with communication protocols (Ethernet, UART, LVDS, CAN, etc.)
• Active Secret or Top Secret Security clearance

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

Base salary range for this position in Colorado: $100,000 — $130,000 USD. Compensation also includes potential company stock, cash incentives, and the ability to purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab's Employee Stock Purchase Program. Additional benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan options, paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave, paid parental leave, and other discounts and perks.

For candidates seeking to work in U.S. 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.

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,  ITAR Regulations.

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, 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  This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview.