Senior Avionics Hardware Engineer

About the role

Rocket Lab is seeking an experienced Electronics/Avionics Engineer to join our Electron Avionics team. You will own the development of PCBs and avionics systems for flight hardware, navigating 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, requiring you to work across Electron's complete avionics architecture, including flight computers, electric turbo-pump motor controllers, thrust-vector control systems, sensor networks, flight termination systems, and high-voltage battery packs. You will be responsible for debugging complex hardware issues, improving circuit fault tolerance, optimising designs for manufacturing, and building expertise that spans the entire vehicle lifecycle. The position demands a high degree of ownership and accountability, ensuring that avionics hardware solutions are delivered reliably and meet stringent space mission requirements.

Key facts

What you'll do

• 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, ensuring alignment with project timelines and quality standards.
• 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.
• 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, improving coverage and efficiency.
• 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 through iterative design reviews and feedback.
• Set the technical standard for avionics hardware, leading design reviews and mentoring junior engineers on best practices.
• Review and approve engineering changes, schematics, PCB designs, and other technical documentation to ensure compliance and correctness.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance across the avionics team, fostering a culture of quality and innovation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Demonstrated experience in avionics, space, or high-reliability electronics development environments.
• Proven ability to develop and debug PCB-level hardware for complex electronic systems.
• Strong knowledge of analogue and digital circuit design, power electronics, and signal integrity principles.
• Experience with test and measurement equipment, including oscilloscopes, logic analysers, and spectrum analyzers.
• Familiarity with PCB design tools and processes, including schematic capture, layout, and design for manufacturing.
• Understanding of space-grade components, radiation effects, and reliability engineering practices.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with frequent priority shifts.
• Willingness to travel to Rocket Lab sites or customer locations as required for mission support.
• Eligibility to obtain a New Zealand Security Clearance as required by client and regulatory mandates.
• Compliance with Rocket Lab's employment conditions, including the ability to meet role-specific technical and safety standards.
• Commitment to following documented procedures and maintaining rigorous documentation standards.

Nice to have

• Experience with flight termination systems and high-voltage battery pack design.
• Background in electric motor controllers and thrust-vector control systems.
• Knowledge of EMI/EMC design techniques and regulatory compliance for space environments.
• Experience with automated test frameworks and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Familiarity with CAD tools for mechanical integration and thermal analysis.
• Understanding of launch vehicle systems integration and mission operations procedures.

Practical notes

This role may require travel to Rocket Lab sites or customer locations as needed for mission support. New Zealand Security Clearance is required for this position and must be obtained as part of the onboarding process. Employment is subject to Rocket Lab's standard terms and conditions, including role-specific technical and safety requirements.