Senior Harness Engineer I- Secret Clearance Verified today

Senior Harness Design Engineer I

Based in Long Beach, CA, you will design, develop, and integrate electrical harnesses for Rocket Lab spacecraft. You'll define interfaces, select components, specify split locations and lengths, and generate design documentation to support the spacecraft engineering team.

Harness Design Responsibilities

• Design and develop electrical harness systems for spacecraft, including connector and backshell selection, wire selection, shielding, and routing.
• Generate wiring diagrams, pinout tables, and interface definitions based on spacecraft interconnect diagrams.
• Collaborate with systems engineering to interpret system architecture and define electrical interfaces.
• Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) for harness systems in the product lifecycle management (PLM) tool.
• Develop and maintain fabrication drawings and documentation using Capital Essentials, NX, and Teamcenter.
• Support harness fabrication processes, ensuring compliance with space-grade standards and industry best practices.
• Define and verify harness acceptance criteria, including electrical testing and inspection.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (systems engineering, mechanical engineering, AIT) to ensure proper integration into spacecraft.

Electrical Engineering Responsibilities

• Perform electrical design and analysis to ensure harness systems meet performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements.
• Support electrical system schematics and harness design documentation.
• Participate in design reviews, providing technical input and ensuring designs meet program requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve electrical issues during fabrication, integration, and testing.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of electrical engineering or avionics experience.
• Active Secret Clearance with ability to obtain TS/SCI.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, or related field.
• Experience in aerospace/defense industry.
• Experience supporting satellite development programs and operations.
• Proficiency in electrical engineering principles: power distribution, signal integrity, grounding, and communication systems (RS-422, SPI, Ethernet, CAN bus).
• Experience with harness design tools such as Capital Essentials, NX, and Teamcenter.
• Familiarity with industry standards for harness design and fabrication (NASA-STD-8739.4, IPC/WHMA-A-620).
• Experience with electrical testing of harness systems: continuity testing, insulation resistance testing, and functional testing.
• Knowledge of thermal and mechanical considerations for harness routing and integration.
• Familiarity with requirement management tools such as JAMA.
• Ability to work in dynamic environment with competing priorities.

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary: $130,000-$170,000 USD (California only). Salary determined case-by-case based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Benefits include: top-tier medical HMO/PPO with 100% company-sponsored HSA option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, 401(k) with company match, discounted stock purchase plan, subsidized EV charging, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts.

Work Environment

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.

ITAR/Export Control Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations (ITAR), employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder), refugee, or asylee, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce.