Avionics Engineer I - Integrated Electrical Systems

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a space technology company that provides launch services, spacecraft design, manufacturing, payloads, and satellite components. Its work supports missions in scientific research, Earth observation, climate-focused projects, national security, and technology demonstrations. The Electron launch vehicle has reached major launch milestones, while the company is also developing Neutron, a reusable medium-lift rocket. Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division builds satellites, payloads, and components that have supported NASA-related lunar and Martian missions as well as hardware used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Engineering is central to the organisation’s success. Teams work across design, analysis, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, assembly, integration, quality control, and documentation to deliver space systems that perform in demanding environments.

Role Overview

Rocket Lab is hiring an Avionics Engineer I for the Electron Avionics Development Team. This position focuses on designing, developing, and implementing electrical systems for the Electron vehicle. You will own electrical interfaces and wire harness designs that connect critical flight hardware, contributing directly to mission success in a fast-moving environment.

This is a practical, hands-on engineering role with involvement across the full product lifecycle. You will partner with teams in structures, propulsion, software, and manufacturing to create electrical systems that balance performance, reliability, and mass efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee electrical interconnects between avionics systems to ensure dependable connectivity throughout the launch vehicle.
• Create schematic and 3D routing solutions for complex flight harnesses, including fit verification, connector choices, and wire selection.
• Prepare manufacturing-ready schematics, bills of materials, drawings, and interface control documents.
• Contribute to system-level electrical architecture for Electron development and mission-specific configurations.
• Perform signal integrity work, power budgeting, grounding studies, and EMI/EMC evaluations.
• Build prototype harnesses and electrical assemblies to prove concepts and reduce technical risk before production.
• Make engineering trade-offs to improve mass, cost, reliability, manufacturability, and schedule while meeting design needs.
• Track project schedules for avionics work so electrical systems stay aligned with vehicle production timelines.
• Maintain engineering records, control changes through formal processes, and preserve traceability across revisions.
• Assist during launch operations by troubleshooting issues, monitoring system health, and helping resolve anomalies in real time.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or another closely related technical field.
• At least 1 year of practical experience in hardware development, electrical system design, or electronics test engineering.
• Working knowledge of Altium Designer, KiCAD, SolidWorks Electrical, Siemens NX, RapidHarness, or comparable eCAD/mCAD tools.
• Experience producing high-quality design deliverables such as schematics, harness drawings, and technical specifications.
• Solid understanding of analog and digital electronics, power distribution, signal integrity, grounding, and EMI/EMC concepts.
• Hands-on exposure to test equipment such as oscilloscopes, power supplies, multimeters, and data acquisition systems.
• Ability to use Python or similar programming languages for test automation and data analysis.
• Proven capability to design, assemble, test, and troubleshoot electrical systems in a fast-paced setting.

Nice to Have

• Knowledge of RS-422, RS-485, SPI, I2C, CAN bus, Ethernet, or similar serial communication standards.
• Practical experience with wire harness fabrication and standards such as IPC-620, NASA-STD 8739.4, ECSS, or equivalent.
• Background in designing analog, digital, or mixed-signal PCBs from concept through production.
• Familiarity with RTDs, thermocouples, strain gauges, accelerometers, pressure transducers, and related signal conditioning.
• Experience using configuration management tools.

Working Style and Environment

The role calls for perseverance, teamwork, urgency, and a willingness to take on challenging work. The team values practical problem-solving, strong collaboration, and the ability to deliver under pressure and tight deadlines while staying focused on execution.

Important Information for New Zealand Candidates

For security reasons, background checks will be completed before any job offer is made. These checks include nationality verification because access to equipment and data regulated by the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations is required for this position.

Based on these rules, you may not be eligible if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO member country, or if you have an ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.

Equal Opportunity

Rocket Lab states that it provides equal employment opportunities and does not discriminate or harass on the basis of protected characteristics. This policy applies to hiring, compensation, promotion, termination, training, and all other employment terms.