Principal Electrical Engineer - Secret Clearance with Security Clearance

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. 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. PRINCIPAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER - SECRET CLEARANCE Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and ISR challenges for DOD, IC, and commercial customers. As a Principal Electrical Engineer based at Rocket Lab’s site in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to support the utilization, career growth, and well-being of engineers in the Electrical Engineering functional group in addition to supporting programs as an individual contributor (approximately 80% individual contributor support and 20% functional management). An ideal applicant will possess a strong technical background in electrical engineering in addition to excellent leadership skills. With the support of the broader team, they will deliver fully validated systems that meet program specifications on cost, schedule, and quality targets. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space! WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO: Duties and Responsibilities Team Leadership: Manage and lead a team of electrical engineers by fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment. Develop a professional engineering team culture to meet deadlines and uphold personal accountability. Manage the functional budget, generate ROI assessments for discretionary efforts such as process improvements or tool development, and control overhead charging rates to specified levels. Technical Guidance: Provide expert guidance and mentorship to the electrical engineering team by offering insights and solutions to complex technical challenges. Stay updated with the latest advancements in electrical engineering technology and guide the team in adopting best practices and innovative approaches. Act as core assessor in engineering gate reviews and peer review events to ensure work quality and task closure. Electrical Design and Analysis: Lead and participate in the design, analysis, and optimization of electrical systems for space applications. Use software tools, simulations, and analytical techniques to assess electrical design performance, and quality, power management, impedance matching, as well as digital, high frequency and nodal analysis. Determine the architecture and lead the detailed electronics analysis and design using both digital and analog circuit design skills. Collaboration: Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including mechanical engineers, optical engineers, and systems engineers to ensure seamless integration of electrical systems into satellite platforms. Prepare technical reports, project documentation, technical proposals, and presentations to communicate progress, findings, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and external partners. Implement and support rigorous quality control measures throughout the electrical engineering process to ensure compliance with industry standards and customer requirements. Metrics Tracking: Develop and measure a strong set of metrics for engineering development activities. Risk Management: Identify and assess potential risks and challenges in electrical design and development projects. Develop mitigation strategies and contingency plans to minimize project disruptions and ensure successful outcomes. YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering discipline 12+ years of electrical hardware experience Government Security Clearance and the ability to obtain a TS/SCI 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. 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. 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 THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: Master’s or PhD in electrical or computer engineering; or other engineering discipline Experience designing for high-reliability aerospace applications Demonstrated success working in a dynamic environment and ability to manage competing priorities ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing