Junior Avionics Design Engineer - Space Systems

Rocket Lab Corporation; Auckland; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Auckland, New Zealand, is seeking an electronics engineer to design flight-quality PCBAs for spacecraft avionics. You will perform schematic capture, component selection, and power electronics design while collaborating with PCB layout designers to ensure robust hardware.

This role requires hands-on bring-up, testing, and documentation, with opportunities to work across Test, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering teams in a fast-paced space environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electronics, or related field with 1-3+ years of experience in electronics design or hardware development.
• Strong foundation in electronics fundamentals: power electronics, analogue and digital circuit design, signal integrity, and grounding principles.
• Proficiency in schematic capture and PCB layout using eCAD tools (Altium Designer preferred) and circuit simulation tools (LTspice, SPICE, or equivalent)
• Hands-on experience with standard laboratory instrumentation and ability to read datasheets, perform component-level analysis, and troubleshoot hardware issues
• Strong documentation skills and effective communication abilities to work within cross-functional engineering teams

Responsibilities

• Design and develop flight-quality PCBAs for spacecraft avionics systems, including schematic capture, component selection, circuit design for power electronics and control systems, and collaboration with PCB layout designers
• Conduct electrical analyses including worst-case analysis, power budgets, thermal derating, and signal integrity assessments to verify design robustness
• Participate in hands-on bring-up, debugging, and verification of prototype hardware, plus support environmental testing activities (Thermal Vacuum, vibration, EMI/EMC)
• Create and maintain comprehensive design documentation including schematics, bills of materials, test reports, and design justification documents
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Test, Manufacturing, Systems Engineering, and other subsystem groups to resolve interface issues and support integrated system development

Skills

Power electronics

Signal integrity

Schematic capture

PCB layout

Lab instrumentation

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering / Mechatronics / Electronics

Tools

Altium Designer

LTspice

SPICE

Job description

Rocket Lab in Auckland, New Zealand, is seeking an electronics engineer to design flight-quality PCBAs for spacecraft avionics. You will perform schematic capture, component selection, and power electronics design while collaborating with PCB layout designers to ensure robust hardware.

This role requires hands-on bring-up, testing, and documentation, with opportunities to work across Test, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering teams in a fast-paced space environment.