Senior Avionics Hardware Engineer - Electron

ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations. Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. ABOUT THE ROLE Rocket Lab is seeking an experienced Electronics/Avionics Engineer to join our Electron Avionics team. You'll develop PCBs and avionics systems for flight hardware, working through the complete development cycle - from requirements and schematic capture to environmental testing, production support, and launch operations. This hands-on role combines deep technical work with broad system exposure. You'll work across Electron's complete avionics architecture: flight computers, electric turbo-pump motor controllers, thrust-vector control systems, sensor networks, flight termination systems, and high-voltage battery packs. You'll debug complex hardware issues, improve circuit fault tolerance, optimise designs for manufacturing, and build expertise that spans the entire vehicle. YOU'LL GET TO: Own & Ship: Own avionics hardware through the full lifecycle - from requirements and schematic capture to layout, PCBA bring-up, mechanical integration, testing, and production Develop PCB designs spanning high-voltage powertrain components and flight computers through to critical analogue sensing circuits Prepare and release manufacturing documentation and create and maintain design libraries Take full accountability for deliverables from concept to deployment Solve & Fix: Debug complex electronics issues at board and system level using laboratory equipment and custom test fixtures Conduct electrical and reliability analyses, including worst-case, power budgets, thermal derating, signal integrity, FMECA, and root-cause investigations Support orbital and HASTE launch operations as the avionics delegate, covering troubleshooting, system health monitoring, and real-time investigations Build & Improve: Lead hands-on bring-up and verification, including environmental testing (TVAC, shock, vibration, EMI/EMC) Develop the test and automation infrastructure used to verify avionics hardware Review and approve engineering changes and design documentation, and maintain schematics, BOMs, test reports, and design justification records Optimise designs for manufacturing and improve circuit fault tolerance Lead & Scale: Set the technical standard for avionics hardware, leading design reviews and mentoring junior engineers Review and approve engineering changes, schematics, PCB designs, and other technical documentation Provide technical leadership and guidance across the avionics team Grow & Deliver: Build deep expertise across the complete avionics architecture of a launch vehicle Drive tasks and projects to completion independently Rapidly learn complex systems and apply engineering fundamentals to solve problems YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS: Core requirements: Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Electronics, or Mechatronics Engineering, or demonstration of exceptional ability 4+ years hands-on experience developing reliable electronics Strong foundation in electronics fundamentals: power electronics, analogue, digital, and mixed…