SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Rocket Lab is seeking a Principal Avionics Engineer to lead the design, development, and qualification of avionics systems for Neutron, a medium-lift reusable launch vehicle. This is a hands-on technical leadership role with no direct reports, where influence derives from engineering judgment, problem-solving ability, and mentorship.
The Neutron Avionics team owns all avionics systems on the vehicle: flight computers, power distribution, sensing, communications, and harness assemblies—nearly all developed and produced in-house. As Principal Engineer, you will serve as the technical authority for avionics hardware, circuit design, PCB layout, and test strategy.
Key responsibilities include:
- Act as technical lead and subject matter expert for avionics hardware, from bench work through design reviews
- Shepherd avionics components and architectures through the full lifecycle: R&D prototyping, qualification, and production
- Review and approve engineering changes; oversee board and flex assembly design, analyses, and validation
- Own technical risk assessment for avionics and vehicle systems; make critical trade-off decisions
- Lead root cause analysis on anomalies and failures; ensure fixes are robust
- Lead small teams through significant engineering challenges
- Evaluate emerging technologies and shape the avionics technology pipeline and development strategy
- Improve engineering practices: R&D methodology, design for manufacture, change management, and scalable processes
- Mentor and coach engineers at all levels; contribute to performance reviews and hiring strategy
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering discipline or equivalent professional experience
- 8+ years of relevant industry experience
- High proficiency in at least two of: analog design, high-speed digital, power electronics
- Strong command of electronics design tools, circuit simulation, and analysis
- Genuine aptitude for technical guidance and mentoring
- Excellent written and verbal communication; demonstrated organization and planning skills
Bonus experience includes: hardware from concept through production, space environmental testing (vibration, shock, thermal, TVAC), formal systems engineering (requirements management, compliance matrices), business case development for capital investment, technical strategy setting, and cross-functional influence.
Expectations: ownership mentality, ability to thrive in ambiguous fast-changing environments, balance speed with quality, willingness to roll up sleeves for mission success, and bias for action with hands-on hardware building and testing.
