Avionics Engineer I - Design

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a full-service space company focused on providing rapid launch capability, spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite parts, and related services, all aimed at expanding access to space. Its rockets and satellites support major missions around the world, including scientific research, Earth observation, climate-focused missions, national security work, and technology demonstrations.

Electron has grown into the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket each year and has carried more than 230 satellites to orbit. In parallel, Rocket Lab is advancing Neutron, a reusable medium-lift launch vehicle intended for larger constellation deployments. The Space Systems division also develops satellites, payloads, and components, including hardware selected for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and parts used in the James Webb Space Telescope.

The company emphasizes action over talk, with a culture built around solving hard problems and delivering real results.

About Space Systems at Rocket Lab

The Space Systems organization is accountable for every satellite and satellite component produced by Rocket Lab. This includes complete spacecraft for lunar and Martian missions, as well as subsystems such as solar panels, flight software, reaction wheels, star trackers, separation systems, radios, and other hardware. The team combines engineers, technicians, and designers who build satellites and satellite hardware/software for commercial, government, and defense customers.

What you'll do

• Develop flight-ready PCBAs for spacecraft avionics, covering schematic work, part selection, power-electronics and control-circuit design, and coordination with PCB layout engineers.
• Carry out electrical validation such as worst-case studies, power calculations, thermal derating checks, and signal-integrity reviews to confirm the design is dependable.
• Support prototype bring-up, fault finding, and verification, while also assisting with environmental qualification testing such as thermal vacuum, vibration, and EMI/EMC.
• Prepare and keep current detailed engineering records, including schematics, BOMs, test documentation, and written design-rationale reports.
• Work closely with test, manufacturing, systems engineering, and other subsystem teams to close interface gaps and support integrated product development.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in electrical engineering, mechatronics, electronics, or a related discipline, along with 1-3+ years of experience in electronics design or hardware development.
• A solid grasp of electronics fundamentals, including power electronics, analogue and digital circuit design, signal integrity, and grounding concepts.
• Practical ability with schematic capture and PCB layout tools such as Altium Designer, plus circuit simulation tools like LTspice, SPICE, or similar.
• Hands-on familiarity with common lab instruments, the ability to interpret datasheets, perform component-level analysis, and diagnose hardware problems.
• Strong written documentation skills and clear communication for working effectively across engineering functions.

Nice to have

• Exposure to power-electronics design such as DC-DC converters, linear regulators, power distribution circuits, or motor-drive electronics.
• Knowledge of space-related design constraints, including radiation, vacuum thermal behaviour, component derating, or aerospace qualification testing.
• Experience with deeper electrical analysis work, such as worst-case analysis, thermal analysis, power budgeting, and DFM/DFT practices.
• Programming experience in Python or MATLAB for data analysis and test automation, or familiarity with FPGA development using Verilog/VHDL.
• Understanding of requirements management and configuration control in highly regulated or high-reliability environments.

What to expect

This role suits people who thrive in demanding environments, enjoy solving difficult problems, and are comfortable working with tight timelines. The team values teamwork, perseverance, practical execution, and a willingness to contribute across both major and smaller tasks. A strong delivery mindset is important, along with the ability to stay focused under pressure.

Important information for U.S. offices

Because of U.S. Government space technology export rules, including ITAR, employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or otherwise eligible to obtain the necessary approvals from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.

Rocket Lab states that it provides equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate or harass on the basis of protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law. This applies to all employment terms, including hiring, promotion, pay, transfer, leave, termination, and training. For U.S.-based candidates needing a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, a dedicated contact is provided in the source information.

Important information for New Zealand offices

Before any offer is made, background checks will be completed for security reasons. These checks include nationality screening because access to equipment and data controlled under ITAR is required for this 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 member country, or if they have ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.