Senior Avionics Engineer

ELECTRON 

Rocket Lab’s Electron team is responsible for building, testing, and launching our Electron rocket across our launch sites and test facilities in the United States and New Zealand. As one of the world’s most frequently launched rockets, Electron’s success is driven by a dedicated and fast-moving team that supports each other to deliver reliable rockets to the launch pad. Electron enables ambitious space missions, supporting scientific exploration, earth observation, climate change combat, national security, and new technology demonstrations. 

As a Senior Avionics Development Engineer, you’ll be driving the design and rigorous testing of avionics components for the Electron launch vehicle. Your expertise in electronic circuit design and environmental testing will ensure all mission-critical and safety-critical components and systems meet stringent Aerospace standards. You will pioneer cutting-edge test systems and deliver production-ready avionics, driving projects from concept to serial production implementation. In addition to your technical responsibilities, you will play a crucial role in mentoring and guiding junior team members, providing feedback and ensuring best practices are followed. Your expertise will shape final architectural solutions and support the company's growth by ensuring robust, compliant, and innovative avionics systems are at the core of every launch. 

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO 

• Execute full lifecycle development of electronic components and subsystems, including requirement gathering, prototyping, debugging, schematic capture and layout, mechanical integration, FMECA, environmental testing, data analysis, and production implementation. 
• Provide production support for launch vehicle avionics, including root-cause failure investigations and quality enhancements.
• Develop, test, and characterize electronic sub-circuits, including digital, power, and analogue sensing circuits.
• Develop test plans and procedures compliant with aerospace standards.
• Initiate engineering change processes, conduct peer reviews and define software requirements during development and testing processes.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers ensuring adherence to best practices.
• Prepare communications with external stakeholders and regulators.
• Assisting with project management, scheduling and priority setting. 

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Over 5 years of experience in hardware development or electronics test engineering.
• Proven experience in designing hardware from concept through to production, with an emphasis on design for manufacturer (DFM) and design for test (DFT). 
• Experience in mentoring junior engineers.
• Familiarity with interfaces and sensors, including power supplies, oscilloscopes, serial devices, and instrumentation.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: 

• Proficiency in Altium.  
• Experience in environmental testing, such as vibration, shock, thermal, and TVAC as well as familiarity with relevant standards.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create formal test plans and materials for distribution to external parties.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in fast-paced project environments.
• Programming experience in Python and/or C/C++.