ZipRecruiter

Log In

Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab

60 Rocket Lab Senior Firmware Engineer Jobs Hiring Near You

Rocket Lab Corporation

Sr. FPGA Engineer II

Chantilly, VA

$133K - $171K/yr

SPACE SYSTEMS At Rocket Lab, we're not just launching rockets - we're building the future of space ... YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS FIRMWARE ENGINEER II: * Bachelor's degree in computer ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

Sr. FPGA Engineer II

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$136K - $175K/yr

ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and ... Design and verify FPGA firmware for Xilinx and Microchip FPGA and SoC devices * Develop ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

Sr. FPGA Engineer II

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$136K - $175K/yr

ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and ... Design and verify FPGA firmware for Xilinx and Microchip FPGA and SoC devices * Develop ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

Sr. FPGA Engineer I

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$136K - $175K/yr

ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and ... Design and verify FPGA firmware for Xilinx and Microchip FPGA and SoC devices * Develop ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

Sr. FPGA Engineer I

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$136K - $175K/yr

ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and ... Design and verify FPGA firmware for Xilinx and Microchip FPGA and SoC devices * Develop ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

Senior Accountant

Long Beach, CA

$77K - $97K/yr

FINANCE Rocket Lab's Finance team is responsible for all financial transactions for the company ... SENIOR ACCOUNTANT Based on-site at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

Senior Electrical Engineer II

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$117K - $152K/yr

ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and ... Experience in FPGA firmware design with Verilog, specifically creating IP from scratch * Experience ...

Posted today

Rocket Lab Corporation

Senior Accountant

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$88K - $110K/yr

ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and ... SENIOR ACCOUNTANT Based on-site at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

Senior Accountant

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$88K - $110K/yr

ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and ... They're attentive, diligent, and meticulous, and are mission-critical to Rocket Lab.  SENIOR ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

Senior Systems Engineer I

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$98K - $135K/yr

ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and ... Collaborate with hardware, software, firmware, and test teams to ensure the electrical architecture ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

Senior Systems Engineer I

Tucson, AZ

$98K - $135K/yr

ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and ... Collaborate with hardware, software, firmware, and test teams to ensure the electrical architecture ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsRocket Lab JobsRocket Lab Senior Firmware Engineer Jobs

Rocket Lab Jobs Information

What is it like to work at Rocket Lab?

Rocket Lab is a dynamic and innovative company that prioritizes a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and continuous learning, fostering an environment where employees can push boundaries and drive progress.

The company's team structure is flat and agile, with a focus on cross-functional collaboration and open communication, allowing employees to work closely with experts from various fields and contribute to the development of cutting-edge space technology. The work environment is fast-paced and challenging, with a strong emphasis on delivering results and meeting ambitious deadlines.

Working at Rocket Lab may appeal to individuals who are passionate about space exploration, innovation, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible, as the company offers a unique opportunity to be part of a pioneering team that is shaping the future of space technology and exploration.

What makes Rocket Lab an attractive place to work?

Rocket Lab is a leading player in the private space industry, known for its innovative approach to satellite launch and its commitment to making space technology more accessible. The company's workplace culture values collaboration, creativity, and a passion for pushing the boundaries of what is possible, with a focus on delivering high-quality results in a fast-paced environment. Joining Rocket Lab offers the opportunity to be part of a dynamic team that is shaping the future of space exploration and contributing to groundbreaking projects that have the potential to make a significant impact on society.

Do workers at Rocket Lab get paid breaks?

Yes. Most people get paid breaks.
80% of people say they get paid breaks.
Based on data from 10 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and April 2026.

Does Rocket Lab pay people when they’re sick?

Yes. Most people get paid when they’re sick.
91% of people say they would get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.
Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and April 2026.

At Rocket Lab, are sick days and vacation days separate paid time off?

Sick days and vacation days are separate paid time off.
92% of people say they don’t have to use vacation days when they’re out sick.
Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and April 2026.

Is the health insurance from Rocket Lab affordable enough for their workers?

Most people say the health insurance costs are okay.
100% of people say the health insurance costs are okay
Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2025 and April 2026.

Do people get paid time off at Rocket Lab?

Most people get paid time off work.
100% of people say they get paid time off.
Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2025 and April 2026.

Do workers at Rocket Lab worry about hours?

Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
100% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.
Based on data from 8 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and November 2025.

Do Rocket Lab workers get to choose the shifts they work?

Some people don’t get to choose which shifts they work.
43% report that they don’t have enough control over which shifts they work.
Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2025 and November 2025.

How easy is it to get time off at Rocket Lab?

Most people find it easy to get time off.
92% of people report it’s easy to get time off.
Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and April 2026.

Do Rocket Lab managers change schedules at the last minute?

Most managers don’t change people’s schedules at the last minute.
100% of people say their manager doesn’t change their shift schedule at the last minute.
Based on data from 9 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and November 2025.

Do jobs at Rocket Lab spill into time workers aren’t paid for?

Rarely. The job doesn't usually spill into unpaid time.
13% of people report that their job takes up time that they don’t get paid for.
Based on data from 8 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and November 2025.

How easy is it to take sick days at Rocket Lab?

Most people find it easy to take sick days.
92% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick.
Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and April 2026.

Do people at Rocket Lab feel treated with respect by their managers?

Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
100% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.
Based on data from 9 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and April 2026.

Do people at Rocket Lab get to take their breaks without interruption?

Most people get breaks without interruption.
67% of people report that they get to take their breaks without interruption.
Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and April 2026.

Is it stressful to work at Rocket Lab?

Some people feel stressed here.
54% of people say they often feel stressed at work.
Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and April 2026.

Do people at Rocket Lab enjoy their jobs?

Most people enjoy their job.
80% of people report they enjoy their job.
Based on data from 10 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and April 2026.

Do people at Rocket Lab recommend working with their team?

Only some people recommend working with their team.
36% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.
Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and April 2026.

Do people get enough training when they start at Rocket Lab?

Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
43% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.
Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and April 2026.

Do people get support to advance at Rocket Lab?

Only some people are given support to advance their career here.
In the last year, 45% of people report not being given support to advance their career here.
Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and April 2026.

Do people think Rocket Lab’s headquarters understands what’s happening where they work?

Most people think headquarters doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
70% of people think that this employer’s headquarters or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.
Based on data from 10 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and April 2026.

Do workers feel well informed about how Rocket Lab is doing?

Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
46% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.
Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2025 and April 2026.

What other companies are hiring for Senior Firmware Engineer jobs?

What are the most popular jobs at Rocket Lab?

What are the most popular categories at Rocket Lab?

Infographic showing various Senior Firmware Engineer job openings at Rocket Lab in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution.

Sr. FPGA Engineer II

Rocket Lab Corporation

Chantilly, VA • On-site

$143K - $214K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Rocket Lab rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

4th of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

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.

SENIOR FPGA ENGINEER II

Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) 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, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Sr. FPGA Engineer II based at our Optical Systems sites in Chantilly, VA, you will have the opportunity to support Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) using the latest FPGA technologies including Xilinx to support advanced Electro-Optical (EO/IR) technology.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO

  • Work with the hardware design team on requirements.
  • Complete FPGA logic design, coding, simulation, and testing.
  • Support hardware and software development teams in bring-up and test of products.
  • Provide subject-matter expertise regarding design and automated test development procedures to customers and production support team.
  • Perform research and analysis of data, such as customer proposed specifications, datasheets, or manuals to determine design approach and/or feasibility.
  • Execute debugging of the design in the lab.
  • Perform synthesis, implementation, and timing analysis.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS FIRMWARE ENGINEER II:

  • Bachelor's degree in computer engineering or electrical engineering or equivalent discipline with 8+ years of experience
  • Experience in FPGA firmware design with VHDL.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain an U.S. Government Security Clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: 

  • Experience with Xilinx/AMD Versal architecture
  • Experience with FPGAs and embedded systems in a radiation environment, including SEU/SEL impact and mitigation.
  • Experience in FPGA- or ASIC-based image processing algorithms.
  • Experience in both creating IP from scratch in RTL and integrating existing IP into RTL and block designs.
  • Familiarity with C, Python or MATLAB and/or experience translating algorithms from a scripted language to HDL.
  • Experience with software interfaces including interrupts and DMA.
  • Experience with DDR4, Aurora, and high-speed transceiver design and verification.
  • Familiarity with AXI Stream and AXI Memory Mapped interfaces.
  • PCB design and schematic capture and layout with tools such as Altium Designer.
  • Active TS/SCI security clearance.

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.

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the state of Virginia's pay transparency requirements. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. 
Base salary is only one part of Rocket Lab's compensation package for this role. You may be eligible for company stock, or cash incentives, and can purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab's Employee Stock Purchase Program. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.  

Base Pay Range (VA Only)
$143,300—$214,850 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.   

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.

What Rocket Lab employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply