HITL Engineer I

Rocket Lab USA Inc.; Auckland; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work on innovative space missions

Hands-on project experience

Team-oriented culture

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA Inc. in Auckland, NZ, is seeking a HITL Engineer I to design and operate hardware-in-the-loop systems. This role demands support across Production, Electron, and Neutron organizations, ensuring engineering rigor.

The successful candidate should have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and at least 2 years of engineering experience. Responsibilities include troubleshooting, maintaining documentation, and operating test equipment, contributing to Rocket Lab's mission of space accessibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, electronics, computer science, aerospace engineering, or related field.
• 2+ years of engineering experience with hardware or software development.
• Experience with designing and implementing electronics test systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, maintain, and operate HITL systems.
• Support Production, Electron, and Neutron organizations.
• Verify functionality of Rocket Lab avionics components.

Skills

Mechatronics

Electronics

Computer Science

Aerospace Engineering

Troubleshooting Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, electronics, computer science, aerospace engineering, or related field

Tools

DMMs

Oscilloscopes

Logic Analyzers

Spectrum Analyzers

CAD Software

Job description

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.

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.

ELECTRON

Rocket Lab’s Electron team is responsible for building, testing, and launching our Electron rocket across our launch sites and test facilities in the United States and New Zealand. Electron is one of the world’s most frequently‑launched rockets, and our team behind its success is diligent, move‑fast, and has each other’s back to deliver a reliable rocket to the launch pad time and time again.

About the role

Based in Auckland, NZ, the HITL Engineer I is responsible for designing, maintaining, and operating hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HITL) systems. You will support the Production, Electron, and Neutron organizations, with deliverables required from the business leadership team.

What you’ll get to do

• Work with a small team dedicated to designing, operating, and maintaining the avionics test systems to support all of Rocket Lab’s missions from the production floor to the launch operations.
• Ensure the HITL systems are subjected to an appropriate level of engineering rigor and documentation.
• Work with other teams to verify the functionality and performance of the Rocket Lab avionics components.
• Operate launch vehicle simulation platform for Day of Launch operations for specific missions.
• Work hands‑on with test and flight space hardware.
• Make and maintain accurate technical documentation via system diagrams, schematics, ICDs, procedures, test/anomaly reports.
• Analyze test results from raw data for pass/fail criteria.
• Troubleshoot root cause from anomalies and communicate the results and path forward with internal teams, vendors, and customers.
• Operate and capture data from test equipment (DMMs, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, etc.).
• Prioritize, manage, and drive multiple projects at the same time.
• Work on the HITL standardization processes and automation.
• Provide technical expertise and training for the more junior HITL team members.

You’ll bring these qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, electronics, computer science, aerospace engineering, or related field.
• 2+ years of engineering experience with hardware or software development.
• Experience with designing and implementing electronics test systems.
• Experience writing rigorous test procedures.
• Meticulous with configuration management and documentation.
• Experience with designing and assembling test racks.

These qualifications would be nice to have

• Master’s or PhD in mechatronics, electronics, computer science, aerospace engineering, or related field.
• Prior experience working on a HITL test, Avionics test, or Software test team.
• Ability to understand and create technical documentation via system diagrams, schematics, ICDs, procedures, test/anomaly reports.
• Prior experience participating to design and acceptance reviews.
• Theoretical and practical understanding of electronic systems.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and an aptitude for technical guidance and mentoring of junior engineers.
• Ability to work under pressure and adhere to tight deadlines.
• Have the mindset of actively make and break to find flaws and issues and report them.
• Experience with harness manufacturing, electrical connectors, crimping, and soldering.
• Familiarity with Ethernet, RS485/422/232, CAN, LVDS, SpaceWire protocols.
• Strong understanding of sensors, signal conditioning, and data acquisition electronics.
• Experience with computer networking: switching, routing and sub‑netting.
• Familiarity with CAD for test fixture and support equipment layout/design.
• Experience with PLCs, relays, and power systems.
• Familiarity with Python, C++, C#, Linux, CI/CD, Git, NX and SolidWorks.
• Knowledge of spacecraft systems or similar highly complex and autonomous systems.
• Experience with general design, documentation, and presentation in Microsoft Suite (Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Experience with quality reporting and management, work instruction peer review, test procedure or data review, and time recording in Jira.
• Prior project management experience, juggling multiple timelines and milestones.
• Ability to be self‑motivated.

Additional requirements

• This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
• Sit at desk and operate computer, keyboard and office equipment for extended periods.
• Use hands with dexterity to operate controls, tools, and technical equipment, as needed.
• Read technical documents, drawings, and computer screens requiring close and distance vision.
• Move between buildings, labs, and work areas, as needed.
• Work in office and technical environments with occasional exposure to noise, dust and fumes in production areas.

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.

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, 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. 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. 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 or interview.

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.