Avionics Intern - Neutron Flight Safety Systems

About this role

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 ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems. We're opening access to space to improve life on Earth through our Electron rocket and Neutron launch vehicle programs, alongside our space systems business. From pioneering carbon composite rocket technology to delivering reliable and rapid launch services, we're pushing the boundaries of what's possible in aerospace.

ABOUT THE ROLE

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).

The Neutron FSS team is responsible for high-level FSS design, component qualification, acceptance testing, and certification activities for the Neutron rocket. A core part of the Neutron FSS is the safety-critical Autonomous Flight Termination System, which uses avionics hardware designed and produced in-house at our Auckland Production Complex. The team is small, agile, and possesses a winning combination of sharp technical knowledge and flawless attention to detail. A unique aspect of this team is its close working relationship with US regulatory agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NASA.

We're looking for a motivated and technically minded intern interested in the functional testing and qualification of avionics systems for the launch environment, including the planning and execution of test campaigns across thermal, vacuum, and high vibration conditions. This role would suit a detail-oriented person with an electrical or mechatronic engineering skillset and experience writing Python code.

This internship will occur at an exciting time in the development phase of Neutron, with many prototype systems being integrated and tested for the first time. While the focus of your project will be on the Flight Termination System, you will be a valued member of the Neutron Avionics department as a whole, gaining exposure to the electrical architecture across the entire launch vehicle.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Avionics Test Engineering:

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