Senior Mechanical Engineer I

About the role

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. This role specifically resides within the Space Systems business unit, which 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. You will develop high performance and lightweight satellite deployment systems, mechanisms, and satellite bus configurations for our customers, supporting the Space Systems organization with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.

Key facts

What you'll do

Support the Business Development team with proposals and mission concepts while ensuring technical feasibility and alignment with customer requirements.

Develop high performance and lightweight satellite systems, mechanisms, and satellite bus configurations for our customers across a range of mission profiles.

Develop concepts and satellite configurations for high value science and interplanetary missions, pushing the boundaries of current design practices.

Define what mechanisms look like on a modern satellite system or bus, establishing standards and best practices for reliability and integration.

Own component designs from conceptual design through production, test, and operation, ensuring traceability and performance objectives are met.

Perform hand-calcs and FEA to drive design decisions, validating approaches before detailed design and tooling.

Lead key component design, manufacturing, and test reviews, coordinating with cross-functional teams to resolve issues efficiently.

Create and maintain product definition through CAD, production drawings, and test and operations procedures, ensuring clarity for downstream teams.

Manage development schedules, vendors, budgets, and other project deliverables to meet program milestones and customer commitments.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other engineering discipline.

5+ years of mechanical engineering experience in relevant fields.

Experience with CAD modeling and drawing to produce detailed designs and technical documentation.

Active Secret Clearance with ability to obtain TS/SCI required to access sensitive program data.

U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements limiting access to specific defense and space initiatives.

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while maintaining attention to detail.

Willingness to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including systems engineering, software, and manufacturing.

Commitment to adhering to company processes, standards, and quality controls for all design and production activities.

Nice to have

Master's or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other engineering discipline for advanced theoretical knowledge and specialization.

Spacecraft/satellite mechanisms design experience, including deployment systems, hinges, booms, and release mechanisms.

Knowledge of spaceflight heritage and lessons learned from previous missions to inform current design choices.

Familiarity with relevant industry standards and certification processes for space hardware.

Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) tools and hand calculation methods to validate mechanical designs.

Practical notes

This role is based in Long Beach, California, and requires U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain Active Secret Clearance, with the potential to obtain TS/SCI clearance. There may be travel associated with vendor visits, test reviews, or program meetings as required by project needs. Employment is full-time, and successful candidates must be able to start in a timely manner to meet project schedules.

About Rocket Lab Corporation

Rocket Lab Corporation is hiring for Senior Mechanical Engineer I. The listing location is Long Beach, CA.

This Senior Mechanical Engineer I opening is posted for Long Beach, CA.