Avionics Development Intern - Electron

InvestedintheMission; Auckland; On-site; NZD 25,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hands-on aerospace projects

Mentorship from engineers

Exposure to rocket systems

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative environment

Career opportunities at Rocket Lab

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Auckland is seeking an Avionics System Engineering Intern to lead the transition of Rutherford engine harnesses to a new system by creating component libraries, system schematics, harness drawings, and harnessing CAD.

You will collaborate with mechanical design, propulsion, manufacturing engineering, and vehicle integration to meet stakeholder requirements and assist in designing vehicle harnesses and automated test rigs for production testing of the launch vehicle.

Qualifications

• Pursuing Bachelor's, Master's, or advanced degree in Electrical engineering.
• Ability to read, interpret, and create electrical schematics.
• Self‑managed and committed to working in a fast‑paced environment.
• Hands‑on experience through engineering project teams, lab research, or through a prior relevant internship or work experience.
• Professional and positive communication skills.
• Passion for aerospace, space technology, and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Create high-level schematics, harness designs and harnessing CAD
• Work with stakeholders to generate, document, and implement system requirements
• Support vehicle and sub-system configuration management
• Support avionics component risk analysis, failure mode effects and criticality analysis (FMECA)
• Provide hands‑on troubleshooting and production support
• Contribute to ensuring full test coverage for all electrical systems
• Collaborate with engineers and team members across multiple disciplines
• Participate in team meetings and contribute innovative ideas

Skills

Electrical schematics reading

Team collaboration

Hands-on engineering

Strong communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

National Instruments

Altium

SolidWorks

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems. We're opening access to space to improve life on Earth through our Electron rocket and Neutron launch vehicle programs, alongside our space systems business. From pioneering carbon composite rocket technology to delivering reliable and rapid launch services, we're pushing the boundaries of what's possible in aerospace.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We're looking for a motivated intern to join our Electron Avionics Development team in Auckland. As an Avionics System Engineering Intern, you will lead the transition of our Rutherford engine harnesses to a new system by creating component libraries, system schematics, harness drawings, and harnessing CAD.

You’ll work alongside various teams such as mechanical design, propulsion, manufacturing engineering, and vehicle integration to ensure all stakeholder requirements are met. Additionally, you will be involved in the design of vehicle harnesses as well as the design and build of automated test rigs to support the integrated system testing of our launch vehicle in production.

This is an opportunity to work on real space technology projects and contribute to missions that are literally reaching for the stars.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Create high-level schematics, harness designs and harnessing CAD
• Work with stakeholders to generate, document, and implement system requirements
• Support vehicle and sub-system configuration management
• Support avionics component risk analysis, failure mode effects and criticality analysis (FMECA)
• Provide hands‑on troubleshooting and production support
• Contribute to ensuring full test coverage for all electrical systems
• Collaborate with engineers and team members across multiple disciplines
• Participate in team meetings and contribute innovative ideas

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

MUST HAVE:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or advanced degree in a relevant engineering program with an Electrical background
• Ability to read, interpret, and create electrical schematics
• Self‑managed and committed to working in a fast‑paced environment
• Hands‑on experience through engineering project teams, lab research, or through a prior relevant internship or work experience
• Professional and positive communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively
• Passion for aerospace, space technology, and innovation

NICE TO HAVE:

• Understanding of instrumentation, interfaces and sensors including power supplies, oscilloscopes, serial devices, switch topologies, accelerometers, thermocouples, RTDs, and 4-20mA sensors
• Understanding in analysing circuits and high‑level schematics
• Understanding of system requirements and the ability to break complex projects down into smaller tasks
• Familiarity with National Instruments platforms as well as electrical CAD software such as Altium and SolidWorks

WHAT WE OFFER

• Hands‑on experience working on real aerospace and space technology projects
• Mentorship from world‑class engineers and industry professionals
• Exposure to cutting‑edge rocket and spacecraft systems
• Professional development opportunities in the space industry
• Collaborative and innovative work environment
• Opportunity to contribute to missions that make a difference
• Potential pathway to future career opportunities at Rocket Lab

Application Deadline: Friday, 28th August 2026

Please note: We will be reviewing and interviewing candidates on a rolling basis as applications are received. We strongly encourage you to submit your application as early as possible, as positions may be filled before the closing date.

Start Date: November 2026

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out‑think, out‑work, and out‑pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.