Electrical Engineering Manager

About the Company

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. Our Electron rockets have become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and have delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit. We are developing Neutron, a reusable medium‑lift launch vehicle, and our Space Systems team designs spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon, Mars, and the James Webb Space Telescope.

The Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and subsystems such as solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. The team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration to national security and defense initiatives.

Electrical Engineering Manager – Optical Systems division, Tucson, AZ. The role supports Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture with advanced Electro‑Optical (EO/IR) technology.

• Lead the core avionics team and collaborate with program managers and systems engineers to design, develop, test, and deliver electrical components for spacecraft missions.
• Manage timelines and resources across internal and external programs for the entire team.
• Engage subcontractors and vendors.
• Operate effectively in a dynamic environment with multiple priorities.
• Meet aggressive development schedules.
• Conduct performance reviews for the avionics team.

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related discipline.
• 12+ years of experience in hardware development or electronics test engineering.
• Deep knowledge of electronic circuits, design principles, and SMT manufacturing techniques.
• Experience in analog sub‑circuit and board design, including signal conditioning, ADCs, voltage references, voltage/current sensing, and temperature measurement via Thermocouples or RTDs.
• Experience in high‑speed sub‑circuit and board design, such as DDR or SDRAM memory technologies and FPGA/SoC interfaces.
• Experience designing and implementing high‑speed communications interfaces (SPI, I2C, Space Wire, CANBUS, Serial, Ethernet, LVDS, MII).

• Experience designing hardware from concept through production.
• Environmental design testing experience (vibration, shock, thermal, TVAC).
• Understanding of avionics, spacecraft, launch vehicle, and flight termination regulations.
• Experience designing high‑reliability electrical systems for spacecraft and flight termination.
• Proficiency in scripting/automation (C/C++, Python).

• Requires close, distance, peripheral, and depth vision; ability to focus.
• Regularly sit, use hands, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Must be physically able to commute to the office.
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, and moderate noise levels.

We are on a mission to unlock space’s potential to improve life on Earth. Success requires hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment. We thrive under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and focus on delivery rather than obstacles.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, 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.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible to obtain required authorizations under U.S. export regulations. Positions require active security clearance(s) with Top Secret or other clearance levels.

Rocket Lab is committed to diversity and inclusion and complies with all relevant EEO laws.