Avionics Systems Engineer

ABOUT ENGINEERING AT ROCKET LAB:

Engineering is at the heart of Rocket Lab. Our engineering team has a proven track record of designing and developing world-class rockets and spacecraft that are changing the way we access and use space. You'll work alongside driven, talented engineers from varied backgrounds and experience levels, all committed to the same mission. Our engineering team members span design, analysis, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, assembly and integration, quality control, engineering documentation, and more.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Own the systems engineering lifecycle for Electron's Flight Safety System (FSS) and Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS), from concept through launch operations.
• Define, manage, and verify system requirements while leading design trades, prototyping, integration, and certification activities.
• Plan and execute component- and system-level testing, including qualification, risk analysis, root-cause investigations, and verification campaigns.
• Collaborate across hardware, software, avionics, and operations teams to deliver safe, reliable, and flight-ready systems.
• Drive technical execution, documentation, process improvements, and mentorship in a fast-paced launch environment.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent professional experience, plus 3+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong systems engineering fundamentals, including requirements management, verification, testing, and technical documentation.
• Experience solving complex engineering problems using sound technical judgment and risk-based decision making.
• Familiarity with avionics hardware, instrumentation, embedded systems, and software concepts including Python or C++.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, planning, and ownership skills in cross-functional engineering environments.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with aerospace avionics, flight safety systems, flight termination systems, or launch vehicle development.
• Familiarity with systems engineering standards, requirements management tools such as Jama, and certification documentation.
• Experience with hardware development and environmental testing, including vibration, shock, thermal, and TVAC testing.
• Knowledge of launch safety certification standards such as RCC-319 and RCC-324, and experience supporting regulatory compliance activities.
• Experience mentoring engineers, improving engineering processes, or supporting launch and mission operations.

Rocket Lab offers comprehensive on-the-job training. If mission-critical electronic systems are of interest to you but you don't have an aerospace background, we still want to hear from you!

If the above sounds like you, apply now!