Avionics Design Engineer I - Neutron

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a full-stack space company that provides launch services, spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite parts, and related solutions. Its work supports a wide range of missions, including scientific research, Earth observation, climate-focused efforts, national security, and technology demonstrations.

The Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket each year and has placed more than 230 satellites into orbit. At the same time, the company is advancing Neutron, its reusable medium-lift launch vehicle built for larger constellation deployments. Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division also develops satellites, payloads, and components, including hardware chosen for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and parts used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

About Neutron

The Neutron team is responsible for making Rocket Lab’s new large launch vehicle and its related launch and test sites a reality. That includes designing and validating structures and components, supporting the Archimedes engines, and building launch pads and test infrastructure across the United States.

Role Overview

As part of the Neutron Avionics Hardware team, you will help develop next-generation launch vehicle electronics and take ownership of important avionics hardware from early concept work through production readiness.

What You’ll Do

• Take ownership of avionics components and subsystems and act as the main contact for your assigned area.
• Drive the complete development cycle for electronic hardware, including requirements definition, prototyping, troubleshooting, schematic work, PCB layout, board bring-up, mechanical fitment, testing, and production transition.
• Create and validate digital, power, and analog sensing circuits designed for demanding aerospace conditions.
• Plan and run test programs for avionics hardware such as computing modules and high-voltage systems, making sure all requirements are satisfied.
• Build automation tools in Python and C/C++ for use with test units, automated test systems, and production ERP platforms.
• Perform technical evaluations such as FMECA, derating studies, root-cause investigations, and risk reviews with mitigation plans.
• Work closely with teams across the organization to deliver program objectives.
• Review and sign off on engineering changes, schematics, PCB designs, test records, and related technical documentation.
• Prepare documentation for testing, maintenance, and calibration, and provide training and ongoing support for new systems.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field.
• At least 1 year of experience developing electronics hardware from concept to production.
• Strong knowledge of instrumentation, interfaces, and sensors, including power supplies, serial devices, switch topologies, accelerometers, thermocouples, RTDs, and 4-20mA sensors.
• Practical experience using lab equipment such as power supplies, oscilloscopes, electronic loads, DMMs, function generators, and process calibrators.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• A strong sense of ownership and the ability to independently move work forward to completion.
• Good problem-solving ability with a focus on improving cost, quality, reliability, and delivery.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally when required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in environmental testing such as vibration, shock, thermal, EMI/EMC, and TVAC.
• Working knowledge of Altium Designer.
• Programming exposure with Python, C, and C++.

What To Expect

Rocket Lab emphasizes hard work, innovation, teamwork, grit, and persistence in tackling ambitious goals. The environment is fast-paced and deadline-driven, with an expectation that team members support one another, stay practical, and focus on delivering results even under pressure.

Important Information

For candidates seeking roles in U.S. offices, compliance with U.S. export controls is required. Under ITAR-related rules, employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylum holder, or otherwise eligible for the necessary U.S. government authorizations.

Rocket Lab states that it is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or other protected characteristics. This applies to every stage and term of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, leave, compensation, and training.

Applicants in the United States who need reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process may contact the designated disability support resource mentioned in the original posting. This contact is intended only for candidates whose disabilities prevent them from applying or interviewing normally, and responses may take up to two business days.

For candidates seeking to work in New Zealand offices, background checks will be completed before any offer is made. These checks include nationality screening because access to certain equipment and data governed by U.S. export control rules is required for the role. Under these regulations, candidates may be ineligible if they do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO country, or if they have ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.

For more information, the original posting referenced the applicable ITAR regulations.