Senior Avionics Systems Engineer

About the role

<div class="content-intro"><p><strong>ABOUT ROCKET LAB</strong></p> <p>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.  </p> <p>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. </p> <div style="padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;"><iframe style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1028198769?h=22add6027e&badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479" width="" height=""></iframe></div></div><p><strong>ABOUT ROCKET LAB</strong></p> <p>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 listing location is Auckland, NZ.

Key facts

What you'll do

• <div class="content-intro"><p><strong>ABOUT ROCKET LAB</strong></p> <p>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.  </p> <p>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. </p> <div style="padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;"><iframe style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1028198769?h=22add6027e&badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479" width="" height=""></iframe></div></div><p><strong>ABOUT ROCKET LAB</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>ABOUT THE ROLE</strong></p> <p>Rocket Lab is looking for an experienced and highly motivated Systems Engineer to develop the avionics for the Electron vehicle.</p> <p>This is a rare and exciting hands-on role that spans the full lifecycle: requirements management, hardware development, oversee test execution, certification activities, V&V for flight readiness and also provide technical guidance during Electron missions.
• You'll work across hardware, software, and operations teams to deliver flight-ready systems that enable our rapid launch cadence.
• The role requires knowledge of core system engineering fundamentals, good technical judgment, practical problem-solving skills, and clear communication with internal teams and external regulatory bodies.</p> <p><strong>YOU'LL GET TO:</strong></p> <p><strong>Own & Ship:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Exercise core systems engineering - manage requirements and software from design through to flight, ensuring traceability and standards compliance</li> <li>Develop requirements, verification and control methods for avionics hardware</li> <li>Support launch operations by investigating hardware faults, reviewing flight data, and implementing corrective actions</li> </ul> <p><strong>Solve & Fix:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lead component qualification testing, environmental testing (vibration, shock, thermal, TVAC), and failure investigations</li> <li>Work with production teams to ensure RCC-319 requirements are correctly implemented and interpreted</li> <li>Oversee hardware and procedures used for HITL and end-to-end testing at launch sites, including defining hardware integration and test software requirements</li> </ul> <p><strong>Build & Improve:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Develop processes and tools to automate pre and post flight data analysis, collaborating with Mission Analysis with vehicle simulations</li> <li>Drive process improvements in production (NCR handling), launch operations (approval workflows, operator training), and test infrastructure</li> <li>Establish system engineering documentation practices that don't rely on institutional knowledge</li> </ul> <p><strong>Lead & Scale:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Interface with NASA and FAA on certification activities, prepare compliance documentation, and respond to regulatory feedback</li> <li>Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance across teams</li> <li>Work across disciplines with hardware, softwar

Requirements

• 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.</p> <p><strong>ABOUT THE ROLE</strong></p> <p>Rocket Lab is looking for an experienced and highly motivated Systems Engineer to develop the avionics for the Electron vehicle.</p> <p>This is a rare and exciting hands-on role that spans the full lifecycle: requirements management, hardware development, oversee test execution, certification activities, V&V for flight readiness and also provide technical guidance during Electron missions.
• The role requires knowledge of core system engineering fundamentals, good technical judgment, practical problem-solving skills, and clear communication with internal teams and external regulatory bodies.</p> <p><strong>YOU'LL GET TO:</strong></p> <p><strong>Own & Ship:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Exercise core systems engineering - manage requirements and software from design through to flight, ensuring traceability and standards compliance</li> <li>Develop requirements, verification and control methods for avionics hardware</li> <li>Support launch operations by investigating hardware faults, reviewing flight data, and implementing corrective actions</li> </ul> <p><strong>Solve & Fix:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lead component qualification testing, environmental testing (vibration, shock, thermal, TVAC), and failure investigations</li> <li>Work with production teams to ensure RCC-319 requirements are correctly implemented and interpreted</li> <li>Oversee hardware and procedures used for HITL and end-to-end testing at launch sites, including defining hardware integration and test software requirements</li> </ul> <p><strong>Build & Improve:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Develop processes and tools to automate pre and post flight data analysis, collaborating with Mission Analysis with vehicle simulations</li> <li>Drive process improvements in production (NCR handling), launch operations (approval workflows, operator training), and test infrastructure</li> <li>Establish system engineering documentation practices that don't rely on institutional knowledge</li> </ul> <p><strong>Lead & Scale:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Interface with NASA and FAA on certification activities, prepare compliance documentation, and respond to regulatory feedback</li> <li>Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance across teams</li> <li>Work across disciplines with hardware, softwar

About Rocket Lab Corporation

Rocket Lab Corporation builds and flies Electron, an orbital rocket that places small satellites into precise sun-synchronous and polar orbits. Teams design, test, and operate launch vehicles and spacecraft at mission control, working through lift-off and flight phases.

The company also offers managed payload integration and ground services. People here run hands-on experiments, analyze telemetry, and iterate on hardware and software between launches.

Building software is iterative. You ship a slice, measure it, and correct course. Code review, pairing, and written design notes are how teams keep quality from depending on one person. The What you will do section is limited to this posting. The paragraphs here describe the craft, not extra assignments invented for length.

About the location

The posting places this role in Auckland, NZ. Local hiring markets vary in interview pace and compensation bands. Location copy is here so readers understand the geography attached to the title.