ABOUT ROCKET LAB
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.
LAUNCH YOUR CAREER IN SPACE TECHNOLOGY
Are you ready to be part of New Zealand's space revolution? We're seeking a passionate Development Engineer to join our Ion Propulsion team, working on cutting-edge technology that powers the future of space exploration.
THE MISSION
As a Development Engineer, you'll be at the forefront of ion propulsion development, testing new systems and innovating existing designs. Working hands-on with sophisticated hardware, you'll solve complex engineering challenges that directly impact our missions and products. This is your opportunity to work alongside talented development engineers, designers, analysts, and technicians in a collaborative environment where your contributions truly matter.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
- Hands-on Testing: Execute test activities for ion propulsion systems and components
- Innovation: Develop test equipment, procedures, and analysis methods to advance vehicle testing capabilities
- Problem-Solving: Proactively identify and resolve quality issues and technical challenges
- Documentation: Create thorough technical documentation following company standards
- Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams on anomaly resolution and design improvements
- Automation: Develop and maintain data processing and test automation code
- Production Support: Transition acceptance testing processes to production teams
WHAT YOU BRING
Essential
- Passion & Curiosity: A genuine enthusiasm for engineering and a hunger to learn
- Education & Experience: Degree in engineering or physics with 1+ years of relevant industry experience
- Ownership Mindset: Strong sense of responsibility and drive to see projects through to completion
- Hands-On Skills: Proven experience building or testing mechanical or electromechanical components/systems
- Problem-Solving: Exceptional analytical abilities and meticulous attention to detail
- Communication: Excellent reading and writing skills
Desirable
- Experience with electric propulsion testing, vacuum systems, high voltage, or particle beams
- Background in rocket engines, fluid components, or spacecraft propulsion systems
- Python programming capabilities for data manipulation and post-processing
- Experience with instrumentation, sensors, and data acquisition systems
WHAT MAKES YOU SUCCESSFUL HERE
You're someone who:
- Thrives on tough engineering challenges with a positive, can-do attitude
- Takes ownership and delivers results on schedule
- Communicates transparently and provides constructive feedback
- Adapts flexibly to support team needs
- Believes no task is beneath them
- Maintains professionalism and follows safety protocols rigorously
WHY JOIN US?
- Work on real space missions with tangible impact
- Collaborate with a world-class engineering team
- Develop your career in New Zealand's growing space industry
- Engage with cutting-edge ion propulsion technology
- Contribute to innovations that push the boundaries of space exploration
READY FOR LIFTOFF?
If you're motivated by complex engineering challenges and want to contribute to humanity's future in space, we want to hear from you.
Apply now to join Space Systems NZ and help shape the future of space propulsion.
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 [email protected] 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.
Skills Required
- Degree in engineering or physics
- At least 1 year of relevant industry experience
- Experience building or testing mechanical or electromechanical components or systems
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent reading and writing skills
- Ownership mindset and ability to complete projects
- Experience with electric propulsion testing, vacuum systems, high voltage, or particle beams
- Experience with rocket engines, fluid components, or spacecraft propulsion systems
- Python programming for data manipulation and post-processing
- Experience with instrumentation, sensors, and data acquisition systems
- Eligibility to access ITAR-regulated equipment and data
Rocket Lab Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Rocket Lab and has not been reviewed or approved by Rocket Lab.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as robust, with multiple HMO/PPO options and a 100% company‑sponsored HSA plan alongside dental and vision. Company materials and postings also note life and disability insurance and an overall strong medical offering for U.S. roles.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity participation is emphasized through RSUs and a discounted ESPP with a look‑back feature, positioned as a meaningful part of total rewards. Filings and benefits summaries highlight broad accessibility to ownership programs across many roles.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is outlined as a full suite that includes paid vacation, sick time, paid holidays, and paid parental leave. Some locations also feature supportive extras such as a childcare concierge and onsite amenities.
Rocket Lab Insights
What We Do
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, spacecraft components, satellites and other spacecraft and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle and the Photon satellite platform and is developing the Neutron 8-ton payload class launch vehicle. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered 100+ satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft platform has been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a second launch site in Virginia, USA which is expected to become operational in late 2022. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.
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