Senior Avionics Hardware Engineer - Electron

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.

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

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