Senior Harness Engineer I​/II - Secret Clearance

Overview

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 to space.

Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Harness Design Engineer I/II will primarily focus on the design, development, and integration of electrical harnesses for our spacecraft, including defining interfaces, selecting components, specifying split locations and lengths, and generating design documentation to support the spacecraft engineering team. The role emphasizes electrical engineering principles, including wiring diagram development, interface definition, and electrical system architecture interpretation, while supporting the full lifecycle of harness engineering from design to fabrication and integration.

• Design and develop electrical harness systems for spacecraft, including connector and backshell selection, wire selection, shielding, and routing.
• Generate wiring diagrams, pinout tables, and interface definitions for harness systems based on spacecraft interconnect diagrams.
• Collaborate with systems engineering to interpret system architecture and define electrical interfaces.
• Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) for harness systems in the PLM tool.
• Develop and maintain fabrication drawings and documentation for harness systems using tools such as Capital Essentials, NX, and Teamcenter.
• Support harness fabrication processes, ensuring compliance with space‑grade standards and industry best practices.
• Define and verify harness acceptance criteria, including electrical testing and inspection.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as systems engineering, mechanical engineering, and AIT to ensure proper integration of harnesses into spacecraft.
• Perform electrical design and analysis to ensure harness systems meet performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements.
• Support electrical system schematics and harness design documentation.
• Participate in design reviews, providing technical input and ensuring harness designs meet program requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve electrical issues related to harness systems during fabrication, integration, and testing.

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering; or other engineering degree.
• 5+ years of electrical engineering or avionics experience.
• Active Secret Clearance with ability to obtain a TS/SCI.

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering; or other engineering degree.
• 8+ years of electrical engineering or avionics experience.
• Active Secret Clearance with ability to obtain a TS/SCI.

• Master's or PhD in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering; or other engineering degree.
• Experience in the aerospace/defense industry.
• Experience supporting satellite development programs and satellite operations.
• Proficiency in electrical engineering principles, including power distribution, signal integrity, grounding, and communication systems (e.g., RS-422, SPI, Ethernet, CAN bus).
• Experience with harness design tools such as Capital Essentials, NX, and Teamcenter.
• Familiarity with industry standards for harness design and fabrication (e.g., NASA-STD-8739.4, IPC/WHMA-A-620).
• Experience with electrical testing of harness systems, including continuity testing, insulation resistance testing, and functional testing.
• Knowledge of thermal and mechanical considerations for harness routing and integration.
• Familiarity with requirement management tools such as JAMA.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing priorities.

Base Pay Range (CA Only): $124,000-$189,000 USD.

• Medical HMO, PPO and company‑sponsored medical HSA plan option.
• Dental and vision coverage.
• 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year.
• 11 paid holidays per year.
• Flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts.
• Paid parental leave.
• Disability insurance, life insurance, and 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts.

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.