Avionics Automation Test Engineer II

About the role

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 to 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. You will own the automation strategy and execution for avionics and satellite test campaigns, translating complex system requirements into robust, scalable test solutions. This role demands ownership of the full test lifecycle from development through continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment. You will directly influence mission readiness by ensuring software and hardware integration is validated efficiently and reliably. Your work will support Rocket Lab's leadership in both launch frequency and mission diversity across constellations and deep space initiatives.

Key facts

What you'll do

Lead the deployment and utilization of our internal test automation platform for future spacecraft programs.

Provide critical support to the Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) team as they execute spacecraft test campaigns using our software.

Collaborate with other users of our software such as systems, flight software, ground software, and operations, adding features and managing deployments to meet their diverse needs.

Investigate, resolve, and bury forever bugs and issues that other teams encounter.

Maintain and evolve existing test frameworks to improve reliability, coverage, and execution speed.

Automate test procedures for avionics modules and complete satellite stacks to reduce manual effort and cycle time.

Partner with flight software engineers to develop integration tests that validate communication protocols and command sequences.

Define and implement test data strategies to support repeatable and deterministic test runs across diverse mission profiles.

Champion best practices for test documentation, version control, and traceability within the engineering organization.

Drive the adoption of containerized test environments to ensure consistency across development and test stages.

Support the qualification and acceptance testing of flight units through automated regression test suites.

Engage with external partners and subsystem vendors to ensure test compatibility and alignment with mission requirements.

Continuously measure and report on test coverage, defect resolution rates, and automation ROI to guide process improvements.

Act as the technical liaison between software, systems, and AIT teams to streamline issue resolution and test coordination.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline.

2+ years of experience in space, ideally with a spacecraft test, systems, or spacecraft software background.

2+ years of experience with programming in the context of distributed applications.

Experience with Linux.

Ability to obtain a Top-Secret clearance.

U.S. citizenship required to obtain security clearance.

Eligible to work in the United States without now or future sponsorship for the duration of employment.

Must be able to commute to Long Beach, CA for the duration of the role.

Nice to have

Secret or Top-Secret clearance.

Experience with python, javascript, and or typescript.

Experience with software deployment tools such as Docker or Kubernetes.

Experience with networking and IT.

Experience with software unit testing, such as pytest or robotframework.

Practical notes

This role is based in Long Beach, CA and is eligible for full-time hours.

U.S. citizenship is required to meet security eligibility standards.

Relocation is not sponsored for this position.

The selected candidate must be able to work from the company's primary office location without current or future sponsorship.

About Rocket Lab Corporation

Rocket Lab Corporation is hiring for Avionics Automation Test Engineer II. The listing location is Long Beach, CA.

This Avionics Automation Test Engineer II opening is posted for Long Beach, CA.