Senior Harness Engineer II - Secret Clearance Verified today

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. The Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit. Rocket Lab is developing Neutron, an upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle.

The Space Systems team designs and builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and components including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios. The team has enabled more than 1,700 missions and built spacecraft and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

The Role

Based in Long Beach, CA, you will design, develop, and integrate electrical harnesses for spacecraft. You will define interfaces, select components, specify split locations and lengths, and generate design documentation to support the spacecraft engineering team. You will collaborate with systems engineering, mechanical engineering, and assembly, integration, and test (AIT) teams to ensure seamless integration of harness systems into spacecraft.

What You Will Do

Harness 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 for harness systems 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 for harness systems using tools such as 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 to ensure proper integration of harnesses 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 harness designs meet program requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve electrical issues related to harness systems during fabrication, integration, and testing.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 8+ 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 other engineering discipline.
• Experience in the aerospace and defense industry.
• Experience supporting satellite development programs and satellite operations.
• Proficiency in electrical engineering principles including 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, including 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 a dynamic environment with competing priorities.

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary range: $145,000-$210,000 USD (California only). Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is one component of the total rewards package. Employees may also receive company equity and access to benefits including top-tier medical HMO and PPO options, 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with company match, discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts. Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status.

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.

Required Eligibility

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), candidates must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce.