Senior Integration & Test Engineer I

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 INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER I

Based out of Rocket Lab's Pasadena, CA office, the Senior Integration & Test Engineer I is responsible for the integration, test, and verification of flight mechatronic and motion systems, including motor control electronics, actuators, motors, and mechanisms, from the component level through subsystem and spacecraft integration, as well as the development, maintenance, and upgrading of the test systems for that hardware. You will support senior engineering staff within the Space Systems organization and report to internal leadership.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Lead and own integration and test campaigns for flight motion systems at various levels of assembly, from actuators and mechanisms through subsystem and spacecraft
• Integrate and test motor control electronics with motors, actuators, and mechanisms, including closed-loop performance characterization (torque, speed, position, and current loop behavior)
• Work collaboratively with design, controls, and systems engineers to define requirements, as well as verification and validation (V&V) plans and requirements compliance
• Develop and present materials for customer and company stakeholder reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR, and TRR
• Develop acceptance, qualification, and R&D test plans and procedures for flight mechanisms and motion systems
• Plan and execute environmental qualification and acceptance testing (Vibe, Shock, TVAC, Thermal, EMI/EMC, etc.), including functional and performance testing before, during, and after environmental exposure
• Develop, maintain, and operate mechanical and electrical ground support equipment, such as motor/load test stands, dynamometers, and test fixtures
• Develop and maintain test automation and data acquisition for motion systems; interface with ground test software and implement flight software configuration changes
• Lead investigations into anomalous mechanism and motor control behavior, driving root cause and corrective action
• Interface with hardware-in-the-loop test systems

QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, mechatronics, aerospace, or other engineering degree
• 5+ years of experience in a test engineering or other hands-on engineering role
• Hands-on mechatronics experience integrating and testing motor control electronics, motors, actuators, or mechanisms
• Working knowledge of brushless DC, permanent magnet synchronous, or stepper motors, their drive electronics, and feedback sensors such as encoders, resolvers, and Hall sensors
• Experience with environmental testing, such as thermal vacuum or random vibration testing
• Proficiency with C, C++, Python, or MATLAB; and Windows 10 and Microsoft Office products
• Experience in writing technical documentation, such as procedures, reports, and requirements
• U.S. citizenship due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience integrating and testing flight systems for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or other aerospace platforms
• Experience with precision motion systems, such as gimbals, robotic arms, pointing mechanisms, deployment mechanisms, or reaction wheels
• Experience on hardware that has completed formal qualification and acceptance testing and a full V&V lifecycle
• Understanding of control systems fundamentals and motor control techniques, such as field-oriented control and current, velocity, and position loop tuning
• Experience working in a clean room and with ESD-sensitive equipment
• Hands-on experience using electrical test equipment (PSU, Oscilloscope, DMM, Power Analyzer, Current Probes, etc.)
• Exposure to designing and implementing test systems for electromechanical hardware
• Understanding of sensors, signal conditioning and data acquisition electronics
• Experience with 3D CAD and ECAD software, preferably SolidWorks and Altium
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing

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.