Spaceplane - Senior Electronics Engineer

Rocket Lab; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company is seeking a Senior Electronics Engineer to lead avionics development for their innovative spaceplane. You will drive the design of electronic flight systems from concept to flight, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure the success of cutting-edge aerospace technology. If you're passionate about engineering solutions that fly and want to work in a dynamic, hands-on environment, we want to hear from you.

Benefits

Build hardware that reaches space

Mission-driven team

Flat, agile engineering culture

Opportunity to grow into leadership

Qualifications

• 8+ years working in electronics or embedded systems.
• Expertise in PCB design and simulation tools.
• Strong understanding of communication protocols.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver critical electronic flight systems.
• Translate high-level requirements into validated designs.
• Design complex PCBs for various functions.

Skills

PCB design

system-level thinking

communication protocols

debugging skills

Altium/Cadence/KiCad

embedded systems

Education

Degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering

Tools

SPICE

Git

Job description

We are looking for a Senior Electronics Engineer to lead the development of avionics systems for our next-generation spaceplane. This is not your average electronics role—we’re looking for someone with deep technical expertise, system-level thinking, and a passion for building real hardware that flies.

You don’t need to come from aerospace. What we value is rigorous engineering thinking, ownership, and hands-on experience delivering complex electronic systems in high-reliability environments.

What you’ll do:

• Own and deliver critical electronic flight systems from concept through to flight
• Translate high-level requirements into robust, validated electronic designs
• Design complex PCBs for a range of functions—digital, analogue, mixed-signal, and power
• Lead and mentor junior engineers through design reviews, prototyping, and debugging
• Collaborate across avionics, software, mechanical, propulsion, and integration teams
• Engage in systems engineering to ensure full-stack compatibility and mission success
• Select suppliers and production methods for prototypes and flight hardware
• Present designs and decisions clearly to internal and external stakeholders
• Contribute to the architecture and evolution of scalable, reliable flight systems
• Travel domestically and internationally for integration and test campaigns

About You

You’re a hands-on engineer with a systems mindset and a strong drive to see your work fly. You enjoy mentoring others, thrive in ambiguity, and take pride in engineering solutions that balance performance, reliability, and pragmatism.

We’re looking for someone with:

• A degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering (or equivalent experience)
• 8+ years working in electronics or embedded systems environments
• Expertise in PCB design and layout using tools like Altium, Cadence, or KiCad
• Experience with circuit simulation tools (e.g. SPICE)
• Strong understanding of communication protocols: CAN, Ethernet, RS-232, SPI, I2C, etc.
• Knowledge of analogue sensing, signal conditioning, and power electronics
• Proven debugging skills using scopes, logic analysers, and network analysers
• Familiarity with systems engineering practices and trade-off analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

Bonus Skills

• Embedded software skills (C, C++, Rust, Python)
• Experience with Git or other version control systems
• Broad hands-on capabilities from harness building to board rework
• Familiarity with high-reliability design standards (DO-254, ECSS, NASA)
• Experience with RF systems and EMC design
• Basic mechanical design skills

Why Join Us?

• Build hardware that will literally reach space
• Work in a mission-driven team pushing the limits of aerospace
• Own your work from spec to flight
• Be part of a flat, agile, no-nonsense engineering culture
• Grow into technical leadership, product ownership, or team management

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.