Senior Avionics Engineer Verified today
About This Role
Rocket Lab's Electron is one of the world's most frequently flown rockets. We need a systems engineer to own the technical development and certification of our Flight Safety Systems - the critical hardware and software that enables safe launch operations.
This is a hands-on role where you'll work across the full lifecycle: from requirements and hardware development through environmental testing, regulatory certification, and live launch support.
What You'll Work On
- Systems Engineering: Manage requirements for flight safety hardware and software from design through flight. Ensure traceability, develop verification methods, and maintain standards compliance throughout the product lifecycle.
- Hardware Qualification and Testing: Lead component qualification programs including vibration, shock, thermal, and TVAC testing. Investigate failures, debug hardware issues, and oversee test rigs used for end-to-end verification at launch sites.
- Launch Operations: Support live launch campaigns by troubleshooting hardware faults, reviewing flight data, and implementing corrective actions. Develop automated tools for pre and post-flight analysis.
- Regulatory Certification: Interface directly with NASA and FAA on certification activities. Prepare compliance documentation, respond to regulatory feedback, and ensure Range Safety standards (RCC-319) are correctly implemented.
- Process Improvement: Drive improvements across production, launch operations, and test infrastructure. Build documentation practices that scale beyond institutional knowledge.
Your Background
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechatronics, or related engineering discipline (or equivalent experience)
- 5+ years developing electronic systems through design, test, and qualification
- 5+ years practicing systems engineering: managing requirements and verification activities in fast-paced environments
- Hands-on hardware debugging skills (oscilloscopes, power supplies, multimeters)
- Strong technical writing for documentation, test plans, and regulatory submissions
- Ability to work independently and prioritize across multiple workstreams
- Comfortable collaborating across hardware, software, manufacturing, and operations teams
Nice to Have
- Experience with safety-critical or certified systems (avionics, medical devices, automotive)
- Familiarity with Range Safety standards (RCC-319, RCC-324) or similar frameworks
- Knowledge of flight termination systems, RF systems, or pyrotechnics
- Environmental testing standards and qualification processes
- Python or MATLAB for test automation and data analysis
- Requirements management tools (Jama, DOORS)
- Launch campaign or flight test support experience
- Electronics failure analysis and root cause investigation
Why This Role Is Different
You'll move between systems-level thinking and hands-on problem solving daily. One day you're qualifying hardware in a test chamber, the next you're supporting countdown operations, and the day after that you're presenting certification data to regulators.
Aerospace experience is not required. If you've developed electronic systems in other industries and want to work on mission-critical hardware that flies regularly, we want to hear from you.
What's Included
- Comprehensive on-the-job training for flight safety systems and certification processes
- Work with experienced systems, test, and hardware development engineers
- Direct impact on launch cadence and mission success
- Opportunity to mentor junior engineers and shape engineering practices
This position may require domestic and international travel.
Important Information
For candidates seeking to work in New Zealand offices: Background checks will be undertaken prior to employment offers. You must be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). You may be ineligible if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO member country, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.