Lead Avionics Hardware Engineer, Spaceflight

Rocket Lab; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Auckland is seeking an experienced Electronics/Avionics Engineer to join the Electron Avionics team. You will develop PCBs and avionics systems for flight hardware across the full development cycle—from requirements and schematic capture to environmental testing and launch operations.

This hands‑on role spans flight computers, high‑voltage systems, sensor networks and fault-tolerant designs. You’ll debug hardware, optimise for manufacturing, and contribute across the complete

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Electronics, or Mechatronics Engineering or demonstrated exceptional ability.
• 4+ years hands-on experience developing reliable electronics.
• Strong fundamentals: power electronics, analogue, digital, mixed-signal design, signal integrity, grounding.

Responsibilities

• Own avionics hardware lifecycle from requirements to production integration.
• Develop PCB designs for high-voltage powertrain components and flight computers.
• Prepare and release manufacturing documentation and maintain design libraries.
• Lead bring-up, verification, and environmental testing within the avionics team.
• Provide technical leadership across the avionics group.

Skills

Electronics design

Power electronics

Signal integrity

Schematic capture

PCB layout

Laboratory testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronics/Mechatronics Engineering

Tools

Altium

KiCAD

LTspice

SPICE

Job description

Rocket Lab in Auckland is seeking an experienced Electronics/Avionics Engineer to join the Electron Avionics team. You will develop PCBs and avionics systems for flight hardware across the full development cycle—from requirements and schematic capture to environmental testing and launch operations.

This hands‑on role spans flight computers, high‑voltage systems, sensor networks and fault-tolerant designs. You’ll debug hardware, optimise for manufacturing, and contribute across the complete