Electrical Engineer I/II

Company: Rocket Lab Corporation
Location: Tucson
Posted on: February 10, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description ABOUT ROCKET LAB 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 space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations. Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. 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. ELECTRICAL ENGINEER I/II Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains. As a Electrical Engineer I/II based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, Arizona, you will have the opportunity to develop and test electrical systems/subsystems hardware for our space payload programs. You will work collaboratively with engineers of various disciplines and participate in all aspects of electrical hardware development, from requirements definition through design, prototyping, fabrication, testing, and production. As an engineer on the space payloads team, you will have unique opportunities to develop optical systems that will be on-orbit. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space! (Please note: this position can be hired at the Electrical Engineer I or Electrical Engineer II level) WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO: Design electronic assemblies for our satellite and spacecraft programs Support electronic circuit design, PCB design, and electromechanical design Perform design analyses and design verification and validation Create, maintain, and manage design libraries in Altium Vault QUALIFICATIONS YOU'LL BRING AS ELECTRICAL ENGINEER I: Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline Experience with electrical hardware design, including schematic capture and PCB layout Strong understanding of electric circuit design fundamentals and electrical engineering principles Familiarity with basic electronic lab equipment, such as: power supplies, oscilloscopes, DMMs, signal generators, and soldering irons QUALIFICATIONS YOU'LL BRING AS ELECTRICAL ENGINEER II: Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline 2 years of electrical hardware design experience, including schematic capture and PCB layout Strong understanding of electric circuit design fundamentals and electrical engineering principles Proficiency with basic electronic lab equipment, such as power supplies, oscilloscopes, DMMs, signal generators, and soldering irons Experience in creation of design verification test plans and test execution THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: Master's in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering degree Design proficiency with processors, FPGAs, switch mode power supplies, communications interfaces, and analog instrumentation Proficiency performing circuit analyses in SPICE and Excel Proficiency with Altium Designer for schematic capture and layout of complex PCBs Experience designing for space environments, including radiation SEE/TID impacts and mitigation Prior experience owning hardware products from conception to design release Understanding of design for manufacturing practices for electrical assemblies or products Experience in designing for high-reliability aerospace applications Experience designing rigid-flex PCBs and electromechanical design familiarity in general Experience with FPGA design and embedded software development for ARM core processors Experience using Atlassian project management software, including Jira and Confluence Demonstrated success working in a dynamic environment and ability to manage competing priorities Demonstrated passion for design in the form of self-made or hobby projects that involve design, test, and/or troubleshooting of your own hardware ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing Must be physically able to commute to buildings Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise WHAT TO EXPECT We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other's backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way. Important information: FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US 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. Learn more about ITAR here. 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. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days. 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, click here ITAR Regulations.

Keywords: Rocket Lab Corporation, Sierra Vista , Electrical Engineer I/II, Engineering , Tucson, Arizona