Senior Manufacturing Engineer I - Avionics & Test
Rocket Lab Corporation · Long Beach, CA · Manufacturing and hardware engineering · posted 3 days ago
Rocket Lab Corporation · Chantilly, VA · posted 19 days ago
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 09/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
| Employer | Rocket Lab Corporation |
|---|---|
| Location | Chantilly, Virginia |
| Field | Technology › Software engineering |
| Level | not stated |
| Source category | 120 OS - Software Engineering |
| Posted | 2026-10-21 (19 days ago) |
| Work arrangement | On-site at the location listed |
| Pay | Not published in the source listing |
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
Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.
The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have 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 get to space — our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.
PRINCIPAL SOFTWARE ENGINEER
Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. 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, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.
As a Principal Software Engineer for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Chantilly, VA, you will design flight software in support of spacecraft for Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS PRINCIPAL SOFTWARE ENGINEER:
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
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.
The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the state of Virginia’s pay transparency requirements. Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Total Compensation (base and equity)$198,900—$324,800 USDBase Salary$163,500—$218,000 USDWHAT 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.
Important information:
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.
Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:
For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.
Field: Technology Sub-niche: Software engineering All jobs at Rocket Lab Corporation Jobs in Virginia Jobs in Chantilly, VA Chantilly city guide Virginia state guide Fairfax County economy
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This is a — role in the Technology field (Software engineering) at Rocket Lab Corporation.
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Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set; set your own state tax rate. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
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The job is in Chantilly, VA. Below is what the official statistics say about living and working there.
How Chantilly compares. Among the 100 largest places in Virginia, Chantilly is #51 by population, #18 for homeownership (#1 = highest), #19 for household income (#1 = highest), #74 for rent (#1 = cheapest). Its county, Fairfax County, is #3 of 133 counties for average pay ($114,100).
Chantilly has 24,036 residents (ACS 2020–2024), about 0.3% of the population of Virginia. It covers 12 square miles of land, which works out to roughly 2,003 people per square mile. The median age is 41.3, 6% older than the state median (41.3 against 39.0). It is a census-designated place: a community the Census Bureau counts as a unit, without a city government of its own, so services such as police, roads and zoning usually come from the county.
The median gross rent is $2,312 a month (rent plus utilities), 46% above the state median ($2,312 against $1,579). Over a year that is 17.7% of the median household income. US housing guidance treats housing as affordable when it takes 30% of income or less, so the typical household is under that line. The median home value is $663,600, which is 4.2 times the median household income ($157,124). 81.1% of households own their home, 20% above the state average (81.1% against 67.3%).
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area has 3,136,190 jobs in the BLS wage survey, and the median pay across all occupations is $71,060 a year, 39% above the national median ($71,060 against $50,980). The biggest occupation groups are business and financial operations (369,190 jobs, median $105,260); management (319,760 jobs, median $165,010); office and administrative support (290,050 jobs, median $53,250). The area is most specialised in legal (2.6 times) and computer and mathematical (2.2 times), where the share of workers is well above the national share. The best-paying groups with at least 5,000 jobs are legal ($175,070) and management ($165,010). In 2026M09 the unemployment rate of Fairfax County was 3.4%. 69.8% of residents aged 16 and over are in the labour force. The city lies in Fairfax County; its jobs, pay by industry and GDP are on the county page.
Among workers, 59.3% drive alone, 1.6% use public transit, 1.5% walk, 24.2% work from home. 18.2% of workers commute 45 minutes or more, 4% above the state average (18.2% against 17.6%). Remote work is more common than in the state as a whole, which widens the set of employers a resident can work for without moving.
59.7% of adults aged 25 and over hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 42% above the state share (59.7% against 42.2%). 42.9% of residents were born outside the United States, 227% above the state share (42.9% against 13.1%). The poverty rate is 5.8%, 41% below the state rate (5.8% against 9.9%).
The warmest month is Jul, averaging 78°F (25.6°C), and the coolest is Jan at 31°F (-0.4°C). About 1,117 mm (44 inches) of precipitation falls in a year; May is the wettest month (120 mm) and Jan the driest (65 mm). These values come from NASA satellite-based climatology on a grid of about 50 km, so they describe the wider area, not a weather station in the city.
Closest cities in this guide: Franklin Farm (3 miles, rent 14% higher); Centreville (3 miles, similar rent); South Riding (4 miles, rent 26% higher); McNair (5 miles, similar rent). Rent differences are against Chantilly; use the Compare tab to put any two cities side by side.
Full guide to Chantilly →Virginia guideAll jobs in Chantilly
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A private-sector role in technology (software engineering) listed 19 days ago. The full description is on this page and on the employer's page.
Chantilly, VA.
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The listing does not publish pay, and we could not match the title to one official occupation.
Median rent in Chantilly is $2,312 a month and median household income $157,124 (ACS 2020–2024).
It was posted on 2026-10-21 (19 days ago). Jobs older than 90 days are not shown.
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