Spaceplane - Avionics Technician

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

Job summary

Join a cutting-edge aerospace team as an Avionics Technician at a leading company, contributing to the development of advanced spaceplane technology. You will support flight operations by maintaining avionics systems and integrating innovative solutions, while ensuring the safety and reliability of flight missions. This hands-on role is ideal for individuals who are passionate about aerospace and eager to take on significant engineering challenges.

Benefits

Ownership over meaningful projects

A flat, fast-moving culture

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience in aircraft or automotive electrical integration.
• Skilled in cable and harness assembly to industry standards.
• Comfortable reading schematics, troubleshooting systems.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, test, and upgrade avionics systems.
• Build and integrate flight avionics systems.
• Collaborate closely with avionics engineers.

Skills

Troubleshooting systems

Cable and harness assembly

Clear communicator

Proactive and adaptable

Job description

Dawn Aerospace is looking for an Avionics Technician to join our Spaceplane Maintenance Team. This is a hands-on role supporting both day-to-day flight ops and next-generation vehicle development.

You’ll work at the cutting edge of aerospace technology, helping to build, test, integrate, and maintain the avionics systems that power our reusable spaceplane. This role blends technical skill with operational focus, and you’ll collaborate across avionics, mechanical, and flight teams to keep our fleet flying safely and reliably.

What you’ll do:

• Support flight operations by maintaining, testing, and upgrading avionics on:
  • Spaceplane systems and instrumentation
  • Mission Control and ground support equipment
• Build and integrate flight avionics systems:
  • Harness design, lacing, termination, and installation
  • Hardware installation and electrical troubleshooting
  • Assist with component sourcing and inventory management
• Take ownership of avionics tools and workspaces, maintaining a clean, well-organised, and mission-ready environment
• Maintain high standards of workmanship in the hangar and lab
• Collaborate closely with avionics engineers and offer support to mechanical and structural teams as needed
• Contribute ideas and feedback to improve tools, processes, and designs

What we’re looking for:

• 1–2 years of experience in aircraft or automotive electrical integration
• Skilled in cable and harness assembly to industry standards (e.g. NASA STD 8739.4A, RA-5401, AC25-26)
• Comfortable reading schematics, troubleshooting systems, and using standard lab/test equipment
• Strong practical understanding of electrical systems and electronics
• Clear communicator in written and spoken English
• Proactive and adaptable—willing to step outside your core duties to help the team succeed

Bonus skills (nice to have):

• RF system installation and coaxial harnessing
• High-reliability soldering (e.g. ECSS-Q-ST-70-08C)
• CAD experience (e.g. SolidWorks)
• PCB rework or modification (e.g. ECSS-Q-ST-70-28)
• Experience sourcing, kitting, or managing electronics components

What sets you apart:

You’re someone who shows up ready to contribute—not just to your tasks, but to our team’s momentum. You bring curiosity, resourcefulness, and a can-do attitude to every challenge. Whether you're deep in a harness build or lending a hand in another department, you take pride in doing it well—and doing it right.

What we offer:

• A chance to work on something that has never been done before
• Ownership over meaningful projects from day one
• A flat, fast-moving culture that rewards initiative

About Us

Dawn Aerospace is developing the fastest and highest-flying aircraft ever to take off from a runway, combining the extreme performance of rocket propulsion with the reusability of conventional airplanes to enable high-frequency, low-cost access to sub-orbital space. Our flagship aircraft, the Mk-II Aurora spaceplane, is designed to push the boundaries of aviation into space, providing a scalable and cost-effective platform for microgravity research, atmospheric studies, and aerospace innovation. In 2024, the Aurora spaceplane broke the sound barrier, reaching Mach 1.12 at 82,500 feet, and set a record for the fastest climb to 20 kilometres (65,600 feet).

We're a tight-knit, cross-functional team with a passion for building things that matter. If you're ready to be part of a bold, hands-on engineering challenge that’s changing how space is accessed—let’s talk. And even if you think you have what it takes but are unsure that you check every box, we still want to hear from you.

Please also note that due to our current customer base and the nature of our industry and technology, we are required to conduct background checks that are undertaken for security reasons. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that the Employee be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by domestic and foreign regulations. Under these regulations, an employee may be ineligible for a role in our New Zealand office if they do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union or a country that is part of NATO, or if they hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.