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 ENGINEERING AT ROCKET LAB:

Engineering is at the heart of Rocket Lab. Our engineering team has a proven track record of designing and developing world-class rockets and spacecraft that are changing the way we access and use space. You’ll work alongside driven, talented engineers from varied backgrounds and experience levels, all committed to the same mission. Our engineering team members span design, analysis, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, assembly and integration, quality control, engineering documentation, and more.

AVIONICS ENGINEER I - ELECTRON AVIONICS SYSTEMS:

Rocket Lab is seeking an Avionics Engineer I to join our Electron Avionics Development Team. In this role, you'll be at the forefront of designing, developing, and implementing electrical systems that take the Electron vehicle to orbit. You'll own electrical interfaces and wire harness designs that connect critical flight systems, working in a fast-paced environment where your contributions directly impact mission success.

This is a hands-on engineering role where you'll work across the full product lifecycle. You'll collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams including structures, propulsion, software, and manufacturing to deliver electrical systems optimised for performance, reliability, and mass.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

Design and manage electrical interconnections between avionics systems, ensuring robust, reliable connectivity across the launch vehicle
Develop schematic and 3D routing designs for complex flight harnesses, being responsible for, fit checks, connector selection, and wire specifications.
Generate production-ready schematics, BOMs, manufacturing drawings, and ICDs.
Support system-level electrical architecture development for the Electron launch vehicle development and mission-specific configurations.
Execute signal integrity analysis, power budgets grounding studies, and EMI/EMC assessments to ensure system performance.
Design and build prototype harnesses and electrical systems to validate concepts and de-risk designs before production commitment.
Conduct analytical trade-offs to optimize designs for mass, cost, reliability, manufacturability, and schedule while meeting performance requirements.
Manage project timelines for avionics systems projects to ensure electrical systems keep vehicle production on schedule
Maintain design documentation, manage changes through formal processes, and ensure traceability across design iterations
Support launch campaigns including troubleshooting, system health monitoring, and real-time anomaly resolution.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline
1+ years of hands-on experience in hardware development, electrical system design, or electronics test engineering
Experience with Altium Designer, KiCAD, SolidWorks Electrical, Siemens NX, RapidHarness or similar eCAD/mCAD platforms
Experience developing high quality design data including schematics, harness drawings and specifications
Strong understanding of analog and digital electronics, power distribution, signal integrity, grounding, and EMI/EMC principles
Experience with test equipment including oscilloscopes, power supplies, multimeters and data acquisition systems
Proficiency in Python or similar languages for test automation and data analysis
Demonstrated ability to design, build, test, and troubleshoot electrical systems in a fast-paced environment

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

Proficiency with RS-422, RS-485, SPI, I2C, CAN bus, Ethernet, or other serial communication standards
Hands-on experience with wire harness design, fabrication processes to industry standards including IPC-620, NASA-STD 8739.4, ECSS or similar.
Experience designing analog, digital, or mixed-signal PCBs from concept through production
Familiarity with RTDs, thermocouples, strain gauges, accelerometers, pressure transducers, and associated signal conditioning
Experience with configuration management tools

If the above sounds like you, apply now!

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.

Avionics Engineer I - Electron Avionics Systems

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About the role