
Avionics Test and Launch Engineer II
Rocket Lab · Wallops Island, VA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 14 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Rocket Lab (aerospace & defense) in Wallops Island, VA. Neutron will deliver a very cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven history with Electron – the third most launched rocket, worldwide, in 2024.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
- Openings
- 2 with this title at this site
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Virginia: typical posted base $98k–$150k.
Median of the low and high ends of 13 live postings that list pay, out of 35 manufacturing engineer openings in Virginia, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Virginia plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 34 other live manufacturing postings in Virginia.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)
Typical $86k–$150k, from 11 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 46%
- ✓ New product launch 46%
- Lean 31%
- Root cause 26%
- Automation 23%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Python, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Rocket Lab
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Rocket Lab in Wallops Island
12 other open roles at this site.
- Mechanical Technician III · Reliability · Technician
- Mechanical Technician II · Reliability · Technician
- Vehicle Test and Launch Engineer II · Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Engineer II · Manufacturing
- Senior Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing · Senior
- Test and Launch Engineer II - Launch Pad · Manufacturing
Full description from Rocket LabAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
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.
Neutron
Neutron is a medium-lift launch vehicle being developed by Rocket Lab, a publicly traded end-to-end space company. The rocket can deliver the mega constellations of tomorrow, enable interplanetary payloads, and support human spaceflight. As a reusable platform, Neutron will deliver a very cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven history with Electron – the third most launched rocket, worldwide, in 2024. If you’re interested in joining an incredible team in a fast-paced and rewarding environment, this is your opportunity.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Avionics test and launch engineer ii
This role is part of the Test and Launch Engineering team at Rocket Lab which is the division responsible for testing, launch, and mission operations of Electron and Neutron launch vehicle, starting with stack testing through pre-launch processing, launch operations, and on-orbit operations. Integrated Operations is also responsible for configuration, checkout, and operation of related facilities, equipment, and infrastructure.
What you’ll get to do
- •Develop, integrate, and test avionics and electrical systems for Electron and Neutron launch vehicles
- •Oversee the configuration and checkout of avionics systems
- •Lead and manage testing projects for avionics and electrical systems
- •Mentor and train other operators within the Integrated Operations team on avionics and electrical systems
- •Develop Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) related to ground- and vehicle- electrical hardware
- •Author, review and carry out operations procedures
As a level ii engineer
- •Bachelor Degree in Engineering (preferably Aerospace, mechanical, electrical or mechatronic engineering)
- •2+ years of experience in engineering design, test and/or operations, in the focus of electrical/software engineering
Would be nice to have
- +Experience with launch vehicles or spacecraft including integration, testing, launch, or mission operations
- +Experience with Java, Python, or other object-oriented programming language
- +Software development skills with solid understanding and experience working with web-based tools such as HTML and XML
- +Good understanding of networking required with knowledge and experience in TCP/IP, UDP, multicast protocols, and packet switching and routing
- +Knowledge of and/or experience with electrical systems
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.
Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package , giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.
Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans, dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with company match, and other discounts and perks.
$94,950 — $122,550 USD
Base Salary
$87,200 — $109,000 USD
What to expect
We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.
For candidates seeking to work in us offices only
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here .
