Senior Avionics Hardware Engineer

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.  

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

Rocket Lab is seeking an experienced Electronics/Avionics Engineer to join our Electron Avionics team. You'll develop PCBs and avionics systems for flight hardware, working through the complete development cycle - from requirements and schematic capture to environmental testing, production support, and launch operations.

This hands-on role combines deep technical work with broad system exposure. You'll work across Electron's complete avionics architecture: flight computers, electric turbo-pump motor controllers, thrust-vector control systems, sensor networks, flight termination systems, and high-voltage battery packs. You'll debug complex hardware issues, improve circuit fault tolerance, optimise designs for manufacturing, and build expertise that spans the entire vehicle.

YOU'LL GET TO:

Own & Ship:

• Own avionics hardware through the full lifecycle - from requirements and schematic capture to layout, PCBA bring-up, mechanical integration, testing, and production
• Develop PCB designs spanning high-voltage powertrain components and flight computers through to critical analogue sensing circuits
• Prepare and release manufacturing documentation and create and maintain design libraries
• Take full accountability for deliverables from concept to deployment

Solve & Fix:

• Debug complex electronics issues at board and system level using laboratory equipment and custom test fixtures
• Conduct electrical and reliability analyses, including worst-case, power budgets, thermal derating, signal integrity, FMECA, and root-cause investigations
• Support orbital and HASTE launch operations as the avionics delegate, covering troubleshooting, system health monitoring, and real-time investigations

Build & Improve:

• Lead hands-on bring-up and verification, including environmental testing (TVAC, shock, vibration, EMI/EMC)
• Develop the test and automation infrastructure used to verify avionics hardware
• Review and approve engineering changes and design documentation, and maintain schematics, BOMs, test reports, and design justification records
• Optimise designs for manufacturing and improve circuit fault tolerance

Lead & Scale:

• Set the technical standard for avionics hardware, leading design reviews and mentoring junior engineers
• Review and approve engineering changes, schematics, PCB designs, and other technical documentation
• Provide technical leadership and guidance across the avionics team

Grow & Deliver:

• Build deep expertise across the complete avionics architecture of a launch vehicle
• Drive tasks and projects to completion independently
• Rapidly learn complex systems and apply engineering fundamentals to solve problems

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

Core requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Electronics, or Mechatronics Engineering, or demonstration of exceptional ability
• 4+ years hands-on experience developing reliable electronics
• Strong foundation in electronics fundamentals: power electronics, analogue, digital, and mixed-signal circuit design, signal integrity, and grounding principles
• Proficient with schematic capture and PCB layout tools such as Altium (preferred) or KiCAD, and circuit simulation tools (LTspice, SPICE, or equivalent)
• Hands-on experience with laboratory equipment (power supplies, oscilloscopes, electronic loads, DMMs, function generators, spectrum analysers, process calibrators) to verify hardware functionality

BONUS POINTS FOR:

• Skilled in board layout best practices, including layer stackup, component placement, and low-noise design to minimise EMI/EMC
• Sound understanding of design for manufacturability, assembly, and test, and of electronics manufacturing processes
• Experience with high-reliability or flight hardware, and designing to ECSS, NASA, or IPC standards
• Experience taking hardware through testing and qualification (vibration, shock, thermal, EMC), with familiarity with common electronics failure modes
• Knowledge of digital communication interfaces (RS-422, RS-485, SPI, I²C, CAN bus, Ethernet), including physical layer design and debugging
• Familiarity with motor drives, power distribution, or battery management systems
• Experience with embedded systems and hardware/software integration
• Experience with sensor interfacing and signal conditioning (e.g. 4-20mA sensors, RTDs, thermocouples, strain gauges, accelerometers, pressure transducers)
• Comfortable with Python for test and automation tasks
• Understanding of requirements management and configuration control in regulated or high-reliability environments

EXPECTATIONS

• Ownership mentality with the ability to drive tasks and projects to completion independently
• Thrive in ambiguous, fast-changing environments where requirements evolve rapidly
• Balance speed with quality - move quickly while maintaining appropriate rigour
• No task is beneath you - roll up your sleeves and do what's needed for mission success
• Bias for action – prioritise getting hands on, building and testing hardware to get results early
• Demonstrate professionalism, punctuality, and adherence to company policies
• Ensure health and safety policies and procedures are followed at all times

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Domestic and international travel may be required
• Additional duties as reasonably required
• Adherence to company policies and procedures is expected

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.

Note: We're looking for practical engineers who can move between deep design work and hands-on problem solving. Aerospace experience is not required. If you've developed reliable, mission-critical electronics in other high-consequence industries, we'd like to talk.

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.