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.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Based in Auckland, NZ, the HITL (hardware in the loop) Software Engineer is responsible for designing, maintaining, and operating HITL systems. You will support the Production, Electron and Neutron organisations and will be responsible for developing and implementing tools and automation solutions to optimise and streamline HITL system operations.
WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:
- Work within a small team dedicated to designing, operating, and maintaining the avionic test systems to support all of Rocket Lab’s mission from the production floor to the launch operations.
- Contribute directly to the development of automation tools to optimise running HITL operations.
- Work with other teams to verify the functionality and performance of the Rocket Lab avionic components.
- Operate launch vehicle simulation platform for Day of Launch operations for specific missions.
- Work hands-on with test and flight space hardware.
- Ensure the HITL systems are subjected to an appropriate level of engineering rigour and documentation.
- Make and maintain accurate technical documentation via system diagrams, schematics, ICDs, procedures, test/anomaly reports.
- Analyse test results from raw data for pass/fail criteria.
- Troubleshoot root cause from anomalies and communicate the results and path forward with internal teams, vendors, and customers.
- Work under the New Zealand HITL team to improve the HITL standardisation processes and automation.
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's or Master's in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or Information Science.
- 4+ years working in a relevant engineering position
- 2+ years developing in Python on Linux
- Experience in designing and architecting automation solutions
- Experience working in a Hardware-in-the-loop environment.
- Exposure to designing and implementing test systems for Hardware-in-the-loop environments.
- An understanding of sensors, signal conditioning, and data acquisition electronics
- The ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines
- Proven tracks of managing projects and delivering on time, on cost, and on quality
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to build strong working relationships
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- PhD in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or Information Science.
- Ability to understand and create technical documentation via system diagrams, schematics, ICDs, procedures, test/anomaly reports.
- Strong troubleshooting skills and an aptitude for technical guidance and mentoring of junior engineers.
- Have the mindset of actively “make and break” to find flaws and issues and report them.
- Experience with harness manufacturing, electrical connectors, crimping, and soldering.
- Familiarity with Ethernet, RS485/422/232, CAN, LVDS, SpaceWire protocols.
- Experience with computer networking: switching, routing and subnetting.
- Experience reading engineering drawings.
- Experience with PLCs, relays, and power systems.
- Familiarity with Python, C++, Linux, CI/CD, Git, NX and SolidWorks.
- Knowledge of spacecraft systems or similar highly complex and autonomous systems.
- Experience with general design, documentation, and presentation in Microsoft Suite (Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Experience with quality reporting and management, work instruction peer review, test procedure or data review, and time recording in Jira.
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
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or Information Science
- At least 4 years of experience in a relevant engineering position
- At least 2 years of Python development experience on Linux
- Experience designing and architecting automation solutions
- Experience working in a hardware-in-the-loop environment
- Exposure to designing and implementing hardware-in-the-loop test systems
- Understanding of sensors, signal conditioning, and data acquisition electronics
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
- Proven experience managing projects and delivering on time, on cost, and on quality
- Excellent communication skills and ability to build strong working relationships
- PhD in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or Information Science
- Ability to create technical documentation including system diagrams, schematics, ICDs, procedures, and test or anomaly reports
- Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to provide technical guidance and mentor junior engineers
- Experience with harness manufacturing, electrical connectors, crimping, and soldering
- Familiarity with Ethernet, RS485/422/232, CAN, LVDS, and SpaceWire protocols
- Experience with computer networking, including switching, routing, and subnetting
- Experience reading engineering drawings
- Experience with PLCs, relays, and power systems
- Familiarity with Python, C++, Linux, CI/CD, Git, NX, and SolidWorks
- Knowledge of spacecraft systems or similarly complex autonomous systems
- Experience using Microsoft Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint for design, documentation, and presentations
- Experience with quality reporting, work instruction peer review, test procedure or data review, and Jira time recording
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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