Junior Ground Systems Engineer - Instrumentation & Control

Description

The company builds rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems, and works toward missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The Instrumentation & Control group sits within Terrestrial Software and builds and runs the control and software systems for ground infrastructure, from launch pads, transporters, and erectors to the test stands where engines are verified before flight.

Every launch and engine test relies on the automated control and instrumentation systems this team delivers.

The team works closely with the Flight Software, Guidance and Control, Databases, operational software, and analysis teams, and the work is often done under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and extend control systems for launch vehicle transporters, erectors, launchers, and propulsion test stands.
• Build new software features with guidance from the solution architect.
• Help technicians on-site and remotely during installation, commissioning, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Run test plans to confirm system performance and vehicle interfaces.
• Review data from flights and tests to understand system behaviour and identify improvements.
• Work with test and operations teams to qualify systems.
• Coordinate with the other software teams on shared work.
• Write and maintain interface control documentation between the launch vehicle and pad systems.
• Create and update documentation for software design, functional requirements, and architecture.
• Help develop launch pad certification and maintenance programmes.
• Advise on instrumentation best practice and push for steady improvements to products and processes.
• Take a risk-based approach to your work, with a fallback plan always in place.
• Get hands-on during build phases, no matter how small the task.

Requirements

• A degree in mechatronics, software, or a related engineering discipline.
• Ability to apply engineering theory to practical, hands-on systems.
• Interest in instrumentation, automation, and control systems.
• A strong sense of ownership: you follow through on commitments, deliver on schedule, and ask for help when blocked.
• Clear communication with peers through the appropriate channel, whether email, tickets, or meetings.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.
• Experience with PLCs (structured text), SCADA, LabVIEW, or similar control and data acquisition tools.
• Python or other scripting experience for automation or data analysis.
• Hands-on experience from internships, student projects, or personal builds involving sensors, actuators, or test equipment.
• Exposure to aerospace, industrial automation, or other high-consequence engineering environments.

Conditions

For US office roles: you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable, to meet ITAR and U.S. space technology export rules.

For New Zealand office roles: background checks, including nationality checks, are carried out before any offer is made, and you must be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

For New Zealand office roles: under these regulations you may be ineligible if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO member country, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.