Job brief: Principal Electrical Engineer

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 2026-11-04 (2 days ago); last confirmed on the board 2026-11-06.
• The apply link opens job-boards.greenhouse.io, the address Rocket Lab's board gives for this job.
• No other listing with this title and place on this board in the last 90 days.
• No layoff notices (WARN) under this name in the state files JoRoute reads.

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

• Pay: Not published
• Job type: Not stated
• Where: Tucson, AZ · Geost Wetmore
• Posted: 2026-09-04 · over 60 days ago

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

Level: Lead / staff. The title says "Principal".

Must have

• Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scala…
• To be successful in this role, you must be passionate about avionics electrical hardware design, with a willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment.
• Master’s in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent advanced experience)
• 12+ years of progressive electrical hardware design experience in aerospace or related high-reliability industries, with demonstrated technical leadership on complex programs
• U.S. citizenship required due to government and program security requirements
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance

Main duties

• Drive system architecture and technology roadmaps for EO sensors across all orbital domains
• Architect and review payload-level designs, integrating motor controllers, processing units, imagers, and cryptographic devices, while mentoring engineering …
• Lead PCBA requirements development through cross-functional collaboration, ensuring alignment with system objectives
• Build and manage key relationships with suppliers, manufacturing partners, and executive stakeholders to align program objectives
• Drive production manufacturing initiatives, leading DFM strategy, yield optimization, and process innovation across programs

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 Tucson, AZ: $105k a year (7 listings, 3 employers). This listing does not publish pay to compare.
• Across Rocket Lab's 457 open listings, 24% 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.
• The pay an offer would carry.

Ask before you apply

1. What is the pay range for this role?
2. Is this role still open, and when do you hope to fill it?
3. Which of the listed places is this role based in?
4. What are the interview steps, and when should I expect to hear back?

Share this brief

Send it to someone whose opinion you trust. They can open it without an account, and nothing about you is in the link.

Email itText it

To keep a copy, use your browser's Print or Share button.

Next steps

Apply on the employer's page Full listingDoes my CV fit?Practise the interviewShould I apply?

Got a message about this job asking for money or documents? Check the message first.

Keep looking

• 27 more engineer jobs within 25 miles, on the job map with pay.
• All 457 open Rocket Lab jobs, and how Rocket Lab hires.
• Saw a job somewhere else? Check if the employer still lists it.
• Search every job JoRoute reads from employers' own job boards. No account needed.