Lead Avionics Engineer for Spaceflight Systems

Rocket Lab; Auckland; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Principal Avionics Engineer to own avionics hardware design, PCB layout, and test strategy for the Neutron vehicle. You’ll lead technical decisions, guide development from concept through production, and mentor engineers across the team.

You will collaborate on risk, design validation, and future technology directions, while driving engineering excellence and scalable processes in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent professional experience.
• 8+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Proficiency in analogue design, high speed digital, or power electronics.
• Strong command of electronics design tools, including circuit simulation and analysis.
• Aptitude for technical guidance and mentoring at any level.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, and strong organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as technical lead for avionics hardware hands-on, on the bench, and in reviews.
• Take avionics components and architectures through full lifecycle: R&D prototyping, qualification, production.
• Review and approve engineering changes; oversee board and flex design, design analyses, and validation.
• Lead root cause analysis on anomalies and failures; ensure fixes are effective.
• Mentor engineers, contribute to performance reviews, and help shape resourcing and onboarding.

Skills

Analogue design

High speed digital

Power electronics

Electronics design tools

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Circuit simulation tools

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking a Principal Avionics Engineer to own avionics hardware design, PCB layout, and test strategy for the Neutron vehicle. You’ll lead technical decisions, guide development from concept through production, and mentor engineers across the team.

You will collaborate on risk, design validation, and future technology directions, while driving engineering excellence and scalable processes in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment.