Harness Design Engineer I

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. HARNESS DESIGN ENGINEER I Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Harness Design Engineer I will primarily work on design of electrical harnesses for our spacecraft, including organizing interfaces, selecting components, specifying split locations and lengths, and generating design documentation to pass to our spacecraft engineering team to allow accurate CAD models to be made. Since this role will have heavy involvement in electronics, you will also get to assist in the execution of electrical engineering activities for our spacecraft and space systems components. This includes assisting our avionics designers with circuit design, analysis, prototyping and testing. WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO: • Harnessing responsibilities: • Perform or support design tasks such as harness layout, connector and back shell selection, wire selection, and shielding for our spacecraft. • Generate pinout tables for harness connectors at both ends of the assembly based on spacecraft interconnect diagrams • Responsible for creating and maintaining BOMs for harnessing in our product lifecycle management (PLM) tool • Assist in creating documentation for electrical system schematics and harness designs • Avionics responsibilities: • Develop test plans and procedures for avionics subsystems and components • Perform analysis and evaluations to optimize spacecraft avionics circuits for performance, reliability, and manufacturability. • Participate in internal design and customer facing review meetings as a representative of the avionics electrical engineering team. • Work in multi-disciplinary teams to assist in design of electronic assemblies for our satellite and spacecraft programs QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS HARNESS DESIGN ENGINEER I: • Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering; or other engineering degree • Experience with electrical engineering or avionics • US citizenship is required, due to program requirements THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: • 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 • Thorough understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics • Experience with LT Spice, Altium, and/or Siemens software suite (i.e. Teamcenter) • Experience with requirement management tools such as JAMA • Experience with testing electrical subsystems and assemblies, thermal vacuum or random vibration, and hardware-in-the loop (HITL) testing • Proficiency in electronics principles and electrical systems, including power electronics, communication systems (e.g. RS-422, SPI, Ethernet, CAN bus), signal integrity, and grounding • Proficiency with instrumentation, interfaces, and sensors, including power supplies, oscilloscopes, serial devices, accelerometers, thermocouples, RTDs, and 4-20mA sensors • Ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing priorities 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. Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company. Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts. Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Base Pay Range (CA Only) $88,000—$132,000 USD 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 t