Job brief: Test and Launch Operations Engineer I

What JoRoute checked · Checked by JoRoute

• Listed on Rocket Lab's own job board. JoRoute does not take listings from job ads or recruiters.
• First seen by JoRoute 2026-11-12 (today); last confirmed on the board 2026-11-12.
• The apply link opens job-boards.greenhouse.io, the address Rocket Lab's board gives for this job.
• The same title for the same place was listed 1 other time on this board in the last 90 days: several openings, or a re-posted job.
• No layoff notices (WARN) under this name in the state files JoRoute reads.

What the listing says · Employer's own words, not checked

• Pay: $85,000 to $95,000 a year
• Job type: Not stated
• Where: Wallops Island, VA · Launch Complex 3
• Posted: 2026-11-12

What the job asks · Employer's own words, not checked

Level: Entry level. The posting asks for 1+ years of experience.

Must have

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (preferably Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Mechatronic Engineering)
• 1+ years of experience in engineering design, test and/or operations, electrical/software engineering
• 2+ years of relevant experience will be considered in lieu of a degree
• 2+ years of experience in engineering design, test, and/or operations
• Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S.
• as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S.

Conditions

• paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave;

Main duties

• TEST & LAUNCH OPERATIONS ENGINEER I
• Test and Launch Operations Engineers are responsible for taking years of design and manufacturing to flight in the operation of launch vehicles.
• Operate Electron and Neutron Avionics as a launch console operator during tests, rehearsals, and launches.
• Support development, integration, and testing of Avionics systems.
• Lead and execute testing campaigns, including Avionics Integrated Systems testing and readiness checks.

Lines copied from the posting, not rewritten. "Preferred" or "nice to have" items are not listed as must-haves.

How it compares · Compared by JoRoute from listings

• Typical listed pay for engineer jobs in Virginia: $124k a year (52 listings, 15 employers). This listing is 28% lower.
• Across Rocket Lab's 463 open listings, 28% of those with a posting date were first posted more than 60 days ago. How Rocket Lab hires

What nobody outside the employer knows · Not known

• Whether the role is already filled or on hold: employers often leave listings up.
• How many people applied, and who reads the applications.
• Where in the published range an offer would land.

Ask before you apply

1. How many people are you hiring for this role, and is it a new opening or a re-posted one?
2. Which of the listed places is this role based in?
3. What are the interview steps, and when should I expect to hear back?

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• 22 more engineer jobs within 25 miles, on the job map with pay.
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