FPGA Engineer II

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

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. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. 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.

FPGA ENGINEER II

We are currently seeking an FPGA Engineer II for a future opening to join our FPGA team based out of Long Beach, CA. This team supports our Space Systems division, and leads cutting-edge satellite programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers. As a FPGA Engineer II, you will be responsible for development and verification of FPGA firmware designs for the avionics systems in our spacecraft programs. You will work collaboratively with engineers of various disciplines and participate in all aspects of FPGA firmware design, from requirements definition to design, implementation, verification, and testing. As an engineer on the spacecraft development team, you will have frequent opportunities to test and operate your systems on-orbit. We're looking for people who are passionate about spacecraft electrical hardware design, with a willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO

• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines in developing firmware architecture and requirements
• Design and verify FPGA firmware for Xilinx and Microchip FPGA and SoC devices
• Develop documentation for FPGA operation and interfacing with other SW and FPGA systems
• Participate in test campaigns, ranging from module-level to automated testing at the unit and system level

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS FPGA ENGINEER II

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, computer, or software engineering; or other engineering degree
• 2+ years of experience with FPGA firmware development
• Proficiency in VHDL
• Strong understanding of FPGA design fundamentals and principles
• U.S. citizenship due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE...