Manager, Avionics Design

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems. 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 provided reliable access to orbit since 2018 becoming one of the most frequently launched rockets in the world. Neutron will be our next rocket on the launch pad an advanced 13-tonne payload class reusable rocket to launch the mega constellations of the future. Our space systems business includes our extensive line of satellites and components that have enabled more than 1700 missions including the James Webb Space Telescope NASA Psyche Mission Artemis I Mars Ingenuity helicopter and more.

Join our pioneering team and launch your career to new heights!

SPACE SYSTEMS

Rocket Labs Space Systems team is responsible for every satellite and satellite component made by Rocket Lab: from complete satellites destined for missions to the Moon and Mars to the individual components and subsystems that make up a satellite like solar panels flight software reaction wheels and star trackers separation systems radios and more. Our Space Systems team is made up of engineers technicians and designers who design create and put together our own satellites for missions across the commercial government and defense sectors or who build and assemble satellite hardware and software that supports other satellite missions.

MANAGER AVIONICS DESIGN

The Avionics Design team in Rocket Labs Space Systems division is responsible for full end to end development of Avionics hardware for our satellite platforms. Our scope includes power systems data management telemetry flight computers thermal control systems propulsion control systems and payload interfaces. The team designs complex solutions that can be configurable to mission needs. Engineers on our team have a great degree of ownership over their designs. Our work is crucial to the operation of our spacecraft and ultimately mission success!

Based out of Rocket Labs global headquarters in Long Beach CA as the Manager of Avionics Design you will lead a team of Electrical Engineers to design prototype fabricate test and produce Avionics hardware for Rocket Lab Space Systems spacecraft programs. This role includes people and technical lead responsibilities. You will work with the director/manager of the department to plan project assignments for your team and be responsible for on-time delivery of hardware to programs. You will also get to serve as a technical leader in our spacecraft electrical system architecture.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Technical Leadership
  • Own design of Avionics subsystems from concept to production for our spacecraft programs
  • Manage project timelines and ensure hardware is delivered to the program on schedule
  • Create a technical roadmap for avionics designs and architecture including proposing distinct plans for future improvements and prototyping efforts
  • Help scope work and estimate timelines for new product developments and program proposals
  • Ensure Avionics products comply with industry standards regulatory requirements export controls and company specifications throughout the design process
  • Support implementation of new processes and practices to promote efficient design flow and team communication
  • Help identify technical areas of improvement create proposals for changes and request additional resources
• People Leadership:
  • Lead and mentor a team of avionics engineers providing technical guidance conducting performance reviews and fostering a collaborative work environment
  • Coordinate with other teams to ensure seamless progression through development testing procurement and integration
  • Be involved in recruiting new engineers and work with the department director/manager to grow the team

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in electrical aerospace computer engineering or other engineering degree
• 8 years of electrical engineering or avionics design experience
• Experience in leading avionics projects for satellite development programs
• Proficiency in electronic principles and electrical systems including power electronics communication systems (e.g. RS-422 SPI Ethernet CAN bus) signal integrity and grounding
• Demonstrated ability to utilize fundamental electrical circuit design principles with discrete and integrated circuits to create a production ready product that meets requirements
• Thorough understanding of space environments and considerations including radiation tolerance needed in electronics design for in-orbit applications
• Experience in the end-to-end development of electronic product design including schematic capture PCBA layout design verification testing analysis reviews documentation and production
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Masters or PhD in electrical aerospace computer engineering; or other engineering degree
• Prior management experience of engineering teams
• Knowledgeable in FPGA firmware and ability to create basic images to test hardware
• Experience with LT Spice Altium and/or Siemens software suite (eg Teamcenter)
• Experience with requirement management tools such as JAMA
• Hands-on experience with testing electrical subsystems and assemblies thermal vacuum or random vibration and hardware-in-the loop (HITL) testing
• Proficiency with instrumentation interfaces and sensors including power supplies oscilloscopes serial devices accelerometers thermocouples RTDs and 4-20mA sensors
• Familiar with regulatory requirements markings designators and controls for ITAR controlled hardware
• Working experience with engineering organization tools such as Confluence Jira Sharepoint and Smartsheets
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing priorities
• Familiar with environmental and risk reduction testing for space products including random vibration thermal vacuum thermal cycling and EMI/EMC
• Demonstrated success working in a dynamic environment with multiple priorities
• Demonstrated success meeting aggressive development schedules

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision peripheral vision depth perception and the ability to focus
• Regularly required to sit use hands and fingers operate computer keyboard and controls and communicate verbally and in writing
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings
• Occasional exposure to dust fumes and moderate levels of noise

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats not an easy task. It takes hard work determination relentless innovation teamwork grit and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each others backs checking our egos at the door and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure work to tight deadlines and our focus is always on how we can deliver rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder) or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia Japan New Zealand Switzerland the European Union or a country that is part of NATO or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations click hereITAR Regulations.