Manager, Electrical Engineer - Secret Clearance

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.

The role is within Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division which solves mission‑critical space domain and ISR challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space‑based payload market with innovative designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments.

Based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will build hardware for ground systems, mobile vehicles, and spacecraft. Success requires experience in designing, fabricating and testing electronics to support imaging systems, sensors, lasers, optical communication, and embedded processors. Familiarity with modern design tools is a must.

• Produce electrical concepts and designs for a wide variety of hardware and projects
• Work with fabrication shops and vendors to complete fabrication of designs
• See designs through to successful integration and test
• Show excellent investigative and troubleshooting skills to assess issues and develop resolutions in the lab and in the field
• Work proactively to complete tasks with some modest direction
• Communicate effectively with project management, customers, and team members across disciplines
• Attend technical interchange meetings with the team members and other project personnel and represent the organization in matters pertaining to project development
• Provide status on assigned tasks and program schedules
• Provide document review and resolve technical engineering and integration issues
• Must have the ability to manage time and resources to meet assigned deadlines
• Support travel or off‑site work as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or other technical discipline
• 8+ years of engineering experience
• Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• Demonstrable experience in electrical engineering, with a strong focus on designing and developing electrical systems for space applications to include all facets of electronics design including high level architectural development, low level design of high speed, analog and digital printed circuit boards that will include interfacing with different communications buses
• Extensive experience in the design of RF/analog building blocks like Low Noise amplifiers, mixers, Power Amplifier, Phase shifters, multipliers, LO distribution amplifiers, mixed‑signal circuits, and mixed‑signal systems such as ADC's DACs, and PLL's
• Extensive design experience in meeting rigid EMI/EMC guidelines
• Design experience with opto‑electronics background in low‑noise, high gain opto‑electronic circuitry, electrical amplification, and various other optical diode detection components
• Design experience with ability to migrate from R&D to Full Scale Production within a well‑regulated AS9100 (ISO 9001) environment including accurate schematic capture, BOM creation, thermal, and timing analysis

• Current SSBI clearance
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to assess complex electrical systems and propose effective solutions
• Excellent management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and deliver results within given constraints
• Demonstrated leadership skills with experience managing and mentoring technical teams
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and present technical information to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision,…