Avionics Systems Engineer II

1w1 week ago

Rocket Lab USA

Auckland, NZ · Full-time · NZ$140,000 – NZ$190,000

About this role

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, spacecraft design, manufacturing, payloads, and satellite components to open access to space. Electron has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket, delivering more than 230 satellites to orbit. You'll own the systems engineering lifecycle for its Flight Safety System and Autonomous Flight Termination System.

Define, manage, and verify system requirements while leading design trades, prototyping, integration, and certification activities. Plan and execute component- and system-level testing, including qualification, risk analysis, root-cause investigations, and verification campaigns. Drive technical execution and process improvements in a fast-paced launch environment.

Engineering is at the heart of Rocket Lab. Work alongside driven, talented engineers from varied backgrounds and experience levels, all committed to the same mission. The team spans design, analysis, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, assembly, integration, quality control, and engineering documentation.

Collaborate across hardware, software, avionics, and operations teams to deliver safe, reliable, flight-ready systems. Contribute to ambitious missions supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation, national security, and technology demonstrations. Develop Neutron, the upcoming medium-lift reusable launch vehicle.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent professional experience, plus 3+ years of relevant industry experience
Strong systems engineering fundamentals, including requirements management, verification, testing, and technical documentation
Experience with avionics systems integration for launch vehicles
Knowledge of flight safety systems and autonomous flight termination
Proficiency in risk analysis, qualification testing, and root-cause investigations
Familiarity with certification processes in aerospace environments
Background in hardware-software collaboration for flight systems

Responsibilities

Own the systems engineering lifecycle for Electron’s Flight Safety System (FSS) and Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS), from concept through launch operations
Define, manage, and verify system requirements while leading design trades, prototyping, integration, and certification activities
Plan and execute component- and system-level testing, including qualification, risk analysis, root-cause investigations, and verification campaigns
Collaborate across hardware, software, avionics, and operations teams to deliver safe, reliable, and flight-ready systems
Drive technical execution, documentation, process improvements, and mentorship in a fast-paced launch environment

Benefits

Enable missions supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation, and climate change combat
Contribute to spacecraft selected for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars
Develop components used on the James Webb Space Telescope
Work on Electron rocket and upcoming Neutron medium-lift reusable launch vehicle