Senior Harness Design Engineer I

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, separati...

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 Develop...

Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Harness Design Engineer I will primarily focus on the design, development, and integration of electrical harnesses for our spacecraft. This includes defining interfaces, selecting components, specifying split locations and lengths, and gener...

Harnessing 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 (e.g., systems engineering, mechanical engineering, and AIT) 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.

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering; or other engineering degree
5+ years of electrical engineering or avionics experience 
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
Proficiency in electrical engineering principles, including power distribution, signal integrity, grounding, and communication systems (e.g., 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 (e.g., 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.
Ability to obtain a Top Secret Clearance

 

Citizenship of AU / NZ / EU / NATO