Senior HITL Engineer

About Rocket Lab Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

About Rocket Lab Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.
SPACE SYSTEMS At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives.

The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR HITL ENGINEER I Based out of Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior HITL Engineer I is responsible for designing, maintaining, and operating hardware in the loop (HITL) systems. You will support the HITL Manager, Shared Services and Space Systems organization, with deliverables requested by internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.

What You’ll Get To Do

• Design, build, operate, and maintain the HITL systems for the Rocket Lab spacecraft buses
• Work hands-on with test and flight hardware
• Work in a cross-disciplinary team to verify the functionality and performance of the Rocket Lab spacecraft buses
• Operate launch vehicle simulation platform for Day of Launch operations for specific missions
• Make and maintain accurate technical documentation via system diagrams, schematics, ICDs, procedures, test/anomaly reports
• Analyze test results from raw data for pass/fail criteria
• Troubleshoot root cause from anomalies and communicate the results and path forward with internal team, vendors, and customers
• Provide critical review for test plans, procedures, and documentation
• Operate and capture data from test equipment (DMMs, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, etc.)

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR HITL ENGINEER I:

• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, electronics, computer science, aerospace engineering, or related field
• 5+ years of engineering experience with hardware or software development
• Experience with electronics testing
• Experience with designing and implementing electronics test systems
• US citizenship is required due to program requirements

These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have

• Master’s in mechatronics, electronics, computer science, aerospace engineering, or related field
• Prior experience working on a PIL/HIL test environment or Avionics test
• Prior experience with Code Verification and Validation
• Ability to understand and create technical documentation via system diagrams, schematics, ICDs, procedures, test/anomaly reports
• Theoretical and practical understanding of electronic systems
• Ability to…