Team Lead – Neutron Flight Safety Systems

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 1,700 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!

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

Neutron is Rocket Lab’s new, medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle currently under development. The Neutron Avionics department is responsible for the delivery of all avionics systems across the vehicle, including integrated avionics hardware, flight software, and Neutron’s Flight Safety System (FSS) inclusive of the Flight Termination System (FTS).

The Team Lead – Neutron Flight Safety Systems is the local technical point of contact and people leader for the Neutron Flight Safety Systems team, which is responsible for high level FSS design, component qualification, and certification activities for Neutron. This team also supports the Electron launch vehicle with FTS design changes, new qualification test campaigns, and product-specific technical issues.

This is a hands-on role with technical responsibility for various avionics engineering activities including FSS product leadership, requirements synthesis and management, test rig specification and deployment, test planning, test execution, preparation of certification documentation, and liaising with external regulators.

Team leadership responsibilities include oversight and guidance of team members’ individual projects, providing clear feedback during design and review, being pro-active in the career development of staff, and fostering a high-performance culture based on ownership, empowerment, and individual accountability. The successful candidate will be highly organised, with a bias for forward planning and the ability to deliver a varied work program against challenging milestones, including mediation on business priority, resource and risk.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable engineering field or equivalent professional experience
• 5+ years relevant industry experience
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Demonstrated organisation and planning skills
• A track record of successful project execution

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Demonstrated technical and/or people leadership skills
• Demonstrated good engineering judgement, looking at all available options to solve a problem
• Understanding of electrical test equipment, test procedures, and data acquisition systems
• Experience designing hardware from concept through production
• Understanding of environmental design testing, such as vibration, shock, thermal, and TVAC
• Experience interacting with external stakeholders (preferably regulatory bodies)
• Extensive understanding of instrumentation, interfaces, and sensors
• Working knowledge of software development processes
• Proficient in programming languages (e.g. C, C++ or Python)
• Good understanding of formal Systems Engineering processes including requirements management and compliance matrices

If the above sounds like you, apply now!

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.