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 SPACE SYSTEMS AT ROCKET LAB:
Rocket Lab’s 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 and technicians 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.
SENIOR AVIONICS ENGINEER - POWER ELECTRONICS
The Senior Avionics Engineer - Power Electronics will lead the design, development, and verification of high-power flight electronics, focusing on ion propulsion power processing units and high-voltage distribution systems. You’ll own projects from concept through production, ensuring robust, efficient, and reliable hardware for space environments. Key responsibilities include designing high-voltage DC-DC converters, precision power distribution units, and custom magnetics, while meeting strict efficiency, thermal, and EMC requirements. Your expertise will guide technical decisions and maintain the integrity of spacecraft avionics across multiple flight programs.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
- Own the full development lifecycle of high-reliability, high-voltage power processing units for ion propulsion systems, focusing on advanced power conversion, high-voltage isolation, and precision current/voltage control.
- Architect and design high-power DC-DC converters and power distribution electronics, ensuring optimal topology selection, effective thermal management, and minimal EMI for mission-critical propulsion applications.
- Design and prototype vehicle-level high-voltage distribution units and interface modules, ensuring robust circuit protection, arc suppression, and compliance with complex system-level safety and interface requirements.
- Perform comprehensive electrical analyses, including Worst-Case Analysis (WCA), FIDES, Power Integrity (PI), thermal simulations, and high-voltage stress analysis to ensure mission reliability.
- Select space-grade high-voltage components for in-orbit applications, addressing radiation tolerance (TID/SEE), corona discharge risks, outgassing, and lead-time risks.
- Lead the design of complex power electronics, including custom magnetics (transformers, inductors), switching regulator optimization, high-voltage filtering, and high-efficiency power distribution networks.
- Develop grounding, bonding, and EMI/EMC strategies for high-power integrated avionics suites to ensure electromagnetic compatibility across spacecraft and propulsion systems.
- Oversee bring-up, "smoke testing," and diagnostic verification of first-article high-voltage flight hardware, performing precision rework and high-voltage diagnostics as needed.
- Define and lead environmental qualification and risk-reduction testing campaigns for power electronics, including Thermal Vacuum (TVAC), random vibration, high-voltage breakdown, and EMI/EMC testing.
- Mentor junior and intermediate engineers through peer reviews of power electronics schematics, high-voltage PCB layouts, and technical budgets (power, mass, efficiency).
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Propulsion, GNC, Flight Software, Thermal) to resolve high-voltage interface challenges and ensure seamless system integration.
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, or a related field
- 5+ years of experience in high-reliability power electronics design, with a proven track record of delivering flight-proven or mission-critical high-power hardware
- Mastery of high-voltage power electronics design, simulation, and layout using industry-standard digital tools
- Experience with high-efficiency DC-DC converters operating below 1kV, magnetics design (transformers, inductors), and high-voltage isolation techniques, including mitigations for creepage and corona/arcing
- Hands-on expertise with advanced lab instrumentation for high-voltage hardware bring-up and characterization (e.g., high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, high-voltage probes, current sensing equipment)
- Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT) for high-reliability, production-scale high-voltage electronics
Required Tools:
- Expert-level proficiency in eCAD software (Altium Designer)
- Power electronics simulation tools (LTspice, PLECS, PSIM, or similar)
- Power Integrity and thermal analysis tools (HyperLynx, ANSYS Icepak, or similar)
- Requirement management and verification tools (JAMA)
- Product Lifecycle Management and configuration management (Teamcenter)
- Mechanical integration and harness oversight (Siemens NX)
- Production and task management software (Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet)
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Understanding of space-specific design constraints, including radiation mitigation (TID/SEE), thermal management in a vacuum, and material outgassing for high-voltage applications
- Experience with FPGA development or low-level embedded software for hardware verification and diagnostic tool development for power systems
- Background in designing ion propulsion power processing units, Hall effect thruster controllers, or gridded ion engine electronics
- Experience leading environmental qualification campaigns (TVAC, Vibration, Shock, EMI/EMC, high-voltage breakdown testing) to aerospace standards
- Experience with automated test equipment (ATE) development for production-level high-voltage PCBA verification
- Demonstrated success mentoring junior engineering staff and driving technical process improvements within an organization
- Familiarity with the unique constraints of the NewSpace industry, specifically the application of COTS components in high-reliability, high-power systems
- Knowledge of custom magnetics winding techniques and vendor management for space-qualified magnetic components
WHAT TO EXPECT
We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s 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 other’s 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 g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.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 here ITAR Regulations.