Director, Space Vehicle Design

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 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 rockethas 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.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab were not just launching rockets were building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space like solar panels flight software star trackers optical systems separation systems radios and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft payloads and components for missions to the Moon and Mars working with partners including NASA the Space Development Agency and the U.S. Space Force. Whether its a single high-performance spacecraft constellation or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

DIRECTOR SPACE VEHICLE DESIGN

Based out of Rocket Labs global headquarters in Long Beach CA the Director of Space Vehicle Design is a hands-on leadership role that reports to the Space Systems Chief Engineer. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team of mechanical structural and thermal engineers; and you will need to guide and mentor them while working alongside them on spacecraft development programs. You will also need to communicate your technical strategy and work cross-functionally on projects with almost every other engineering team.

Our ideal candidate is someone with a strong mechanical structural and thermal engineering background who has previously led spacecraft development programs. They will have expertise in designing analyzing building and testing spacecraft structures and mechanisms. They will have successfully led engineering teams through challenging projects and will be comfortable working in a fast-paced development environment.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Work directly with the Space Systems Chief Engineer in technical decision-making processes and guide technical development across the Space Vehicle Design team
• Perform functional management duties with team leads including 1-on-1s performance reviews and supporting their career development
• Provide technical mentorship to team members and monitor technical integrity of all team members contributions
• Work with cross-discipline teams (i.e. Supply Chain Assembly Integration & Test Production Quality) to ensure smooth interfaces and handoffs within the greater Space Systems organization
• Work closely with engineers test engineers and production to iterate through design concepts with a focus on design-for-manufacture and design-for-integration
• Develop and maintain design and analysis standards documentation templates test specifications and other processes for the SVD team

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other technical discipline
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements
• 12 years of engineering experience
• Spacecraft/satellite design experience
• 3 years of experience as a team lead or manager
• Expertise in Siemens NX and Teamcenter
• Expertise in CAD drafting and GD&T
• Multiple successes in bringing spacecraft hardware from concept through launch
• Direct experience bringing spacecraft assemblies through environmental testing
• Demonstrable methodological approach to spacecraft design and development programs
• Experience in design and development spacecraft assemblies space mechanisms and deployables spacecraft avionics and/or propulsion systems
• Experience in spacecraft structural dynamics in one or more of the following areas: environments and loads random vibration sine vibration acoustic and modal testing and/or analysis

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Masters or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other technical discipline
• Comfortable executing on aggressive deadlines within a high-pressure environment
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Previous experience leading a large and multi-disciplinary team (20 engineers)
• Comfortable executing on aggressive deadlines within a high-pressure environment
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision peripheral vision depth perception and the ability to focus
• Regularly required to sit use hands and fingers operate computer keyboard and controls and communicate verbally and in writing
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings
• Occasional exposure to dust fumes and moderate levels of noise

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats 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 others 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 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 hereITAR Regulations.