Senior Avionics Engineer - Power Electronics

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a comprehensive space company providing launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, satellite components, and payload delivery. Our technology supports vital space missions including scientific research, climate monitoring, national defense, and innovative technology demonstrations. Our Electron rocket ranks as the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually, having placed over 230 satellites into orbit. We are also advancing the Neutron reusable medium-lift launch vehicle for larger satellite constellations. Our Space Systems division designs and manufactures an extensive satellite line and their components, including spacecraft selected for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and parts for the James Webb Space Telescope.

About Space Systems at Rocket Lab

The Space Systems team handles the design and assembly of all satellites and satellite components at Rocket Lab. This ranges from complete satellites destined for commercial, governmental, and defense missions to individual subsystems like solar panels, flight software, reaction wheels, star trackers, separation systems, and radios. Our engineers and technicians develop and build both internal satellite hardware/software and systems that support other satellite missions.

Role Overview

As a Senior Avionics Engineer in Power Electronics, you will lead the design, development, and qualification of high-power flight electronics focusing on ion propulsion power processing and high-voltage distribution. You will manage projects through all project phases ensuring robust and efficient hardware suited for space operation. Your responsibilities include designing high-voltage DC-DC converters, precision power distribution units, and custom magnetic components, while ensuring strict compliance with efficiency, thermal stability, and electromagnetic compatibility standards. Your technical leadership will safeguard avionics system integrity across multiple flight programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead design and full development cycle of flight-grade high-voltage power processing units for ion propulsion, including power conversion, isolation, and precise current/voltage regulation.
• Architect high-power DC-DC converters and distribution electronics focusing on optimal topology, heat dissipation, and EMI reduction critical for propulsion systems.
• Design vehicle-level high-voltage distribution and interface circuits incorporating protective measures like arc suppression and ensuring adherence to system safety and interface standards.
• Conduct thorough electrical simulations and analyses such as Worst-Case Analysis, FIDES, power and thermal simulations, and high-voltage stress evaluations to guarantee mission reliability.
• Source space-qualified high-voltage components addressing radiation tolerance, corona discharge mitigation, outgassing, and supply chain risks.
• Oversee design of complex power electronics including custom transformers and inductors, switch-mode regulator optimization, and power distribution network efficiency enhancements.
• Develop and enforce grounding, bonding, and EMI/EMC strategies for large integrated avionics systems to maintain electromagnetic compatibility.
• Manage hardware bring-up, initial smoke testing, detailed diagnostics, and precise rework of first article flight electronics.
• Plan and lead environmental qualification and risk-reduction test programs including thermal vacuum, vibration, high-voltage breakdown, and EMI/EMC testing.
• Mentor junior engineers through peer reviews of schematics, PCB layouts, and engineering cost/performance trade-offs.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including Propulsion, GNC, Software, and Thermal groups to resolve complex high-voltage interface issues ensuring smooth system integration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, or a related discipline.
• Over 5 years of experience designing high-reliability power electronics with a track record of mission-critical flight hardware deployments.
• Advanced capabilities in high-voltage power electronics design, simulation, and PCB layout utilizing professional digital engineering tools.
• Expertise with DC-DC converters below 1kV, magnetic component design, and isolation techniques including standards to prevent corona and electrical arcing.
• Proficiency with lab equipment for high-voltage hardware testing such as oscilloscopes and current sensing instrumentation.
• Deep knowledge of Design for Manufacturing and Design for Test principles for scalable, reliable high-voltage electronics production.

Technical Tools

• Advanced proficiency in eCAD software including Altium Designer.
• Experience with power electronics simulation tools such as LTspice, PLECS, and PSIM.
• Familiarity with power integrity and thermal analysis platforms like HyperLynx and ANSYS Icepak.
• Use of requirements management software including JAMA and PLM with Teamcenter.
• Mechanical integration using Siemens NX and production/task management tools such as Jira, Confluence, and Smartsheet.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Understanding space-specific constraints, including radiation effects (TID/SEE), thermal challenges in vacuum, and material outgassing.
• Experience in FPGA design or low-level embedded software for hardware validation and diagnostic tool development.
• Background in ion propulsion power electronics or thruster control system design.
• Experience leading aerospace environmental qualification programs including TVAC, vibration, shock, and EMI/EMC testing.
• Skill in developing automated test equipment for production-level verification of high-voltage PCBs.
• Successful mentorship and driving technical improvements within engineering teams.
• Familiarity with NewSpace industry constraints, including using commercial off-the-shelf components in high-reliability systems.
• Knowledge of custom magnetics winding and supplier management for space-rated components.

Work Culture and Expectations

Rocket Lab embodies a mission-driven culture focused on unlocking space’s potential to benefit life on Earth, demanding perseverance, creativity, collaboration, and a solution-oriented mindset. We support each other with humility and a commitment to meet challenging deadlines and overcome obstacles.

Important Compliance Information

For U.S. Applicants: Employment requires compliance with U.S. Government export laws (ITAR). Candidates must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, refugees/asylees, or capable of obtaining appropriate government authorization.

For New Zealand Applicants: Background screening is mandatory prior to employment offers, including nationality verification consistent with ITAR regulations. Eligible candidates must hold citizenship of approved countries (e.g., Australia, Japan, New Zealand, EU, NATO members) with certain dual citizenship restrictions.