Junior Ground Systems Engineer: Instrumentation & Control

Rocket Lab Corporation; Auckland; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is building rockets, spacecraft and critical subsystems to expand humanity’s reach. The Junior Ground Systems Engineer will help design, implement, and maintain automated control and instrumentation for ground infrastructure, launch pads and test stands.

You’ll collaborate with Terrestrial Software teams and operations to ensure reliable transporters, erectors, launchers and interfaces, while supporting on-site and remote activities and driving continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• A degree in mechatronics, software, or a related engineering discipline.
• Ability to apply engineering concepts and theory to real-world, hands-on systems.
• Interest in instrumentation, automation, and control systems.
• Clear communication with peers through the right channels, whether email, tickets, or meetings.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and extend control systems for ground transporters, erectors, launchers, and test stands.
• Develop new software features under guidance of solution architect.
• Support technicians on-site and remotely during installation, commissioning, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Execute test plans to validate system performance and vehicle interfaces.
• Analyse post-flight and post-test data to understand system performance and drive improvements.
• Collaborate with test and operations teams to qualify systems.
• Develop and maintain interface control documentation between launch vehicle and pad systems.
• Create and maintain documentation covering software design, requirements, and architecture.
• Advise on instrumentation best practices and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Ownership mindset

Communication

Hands-on engineering

Willingness to travel

Problem solving

Education

Mechatronics / Software / related engineering degree

Tools

PLC (structured text)

SCADA

LabVIEW

Python

Job description

Rocket Lab is building rockets, spacecraft and critical subsystems to expand humanity’s reach. The Junior Ground Systems Engineer will help design, implement, and maintain automated control and instrumentation for ground infrastructure, launch pads and test stands.

You’ll collaborate with Terrestrial Software teams and operations to ensure reliable transporters, erectors, launchers and interfaces, while supporting on-site and remote activities and driving continuous improvement.