Senior Mechanical Engineer II

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets spacecraft and critical subsystems that keep the world connected protected expand humanitys reach to the Moon Mars and beyond. We move fast build real hardware for meaningful missions and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Labwerenot just launching rockets werebuilding 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 anddefenseinitiatives. 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. Whetheritsa 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.

SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER II

Based onsite at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena California the Senior Mechanical Engineer II will lead mechanical design and mechanism development efforts for space robotics precision mechanisms electromechanical assemblies tooling fixtures and ground support equipment. The role translates program production and test needs into practical mechanical architectures and drives approved designs through analysis review procurement assembly integration environmental test qualification and flight delivery. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader with deep experience in SolidWorks precision mechanical design mechanisms tolerance analysis manufacturability and spaceflight hardware delivery.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO

• Lead assigned mechanical and mechanism development efforts including definition of scope requirements schedules technical risks project milestones and verification plans.
• Serve as responsible engineer for complex components or subsystems and own technical execution through design procurement build test qualification and delivery.
• Lead trade studies and technical decisions involving mechanical architecture packaging interfaces tolerance strategy materials fabrication approach assembly flow inspection planning verification and design risk.
• Lead design manufacturing and test reviews with engineering production quality supply chain and test stakeholders; document actions and drive closure.
• Manage technical schedules vendors budgets build priorities and risk-mitigation activities needed to meet program commitments.
• Mentor less-experienced engineers and contribute to mechanical design standards best practices design-for-manufacture improvements and lessons learned.
• Develop precision mechanisms robotic systems electromechanical assemblies tooling fixtures and ground support equipment for spaceflight and ground applications.
• Translate program system production and test needs into practical mechanical architectures interfaces packaging concepts and verification approaches.
• Develop mechanical hardware through concept development trade studies detailed design analysis drawing release procurement assembly integration environmental test qualification and delivery.
• Design space mechanisms and motion systems including actuators gimbals gear trains harmonic drives bearings motors rotary sensors springs launch locks release devices and kinematic or pseudo-kinematic interfaces.
• Create and maintain product definition in SolidWorks including 3D CAD models production drawings interface details bills of material assembly documentation test procedures and supporting design analyses.
• Apply GD&T tolerance stack-up analysis material and process selection first-principles calculations and finite element analysis to make sound design decisions.
• Design hardware for stiffness strength thermal environments vibration and shock tolerance control manufacturability inspectability assembly integration and test.
• Work closely with electrical software systems manufacturing quality supply chain and test teams to evaluate alternatives and deliver practical build-ready solutions.
• Support hardware assembly integration troubleshooting inspection environmental testing qualification testing fixture development and review of test data.
• Coordinate with machine shops and suppliers to resolve fabrication questions evaluate manufacturing approaches and support timely hardware delivery.
• Document technical decisions design analyses test results risks and verification evidence in support of program milestones and design reviews.

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering aerospace engineering mechatronics robotics or another related engineering discipline.
• 8 years of professional mechanical engineering experience including significant aerospace spaceflight robotics or other high-reliability hardware development experience.
• 3 years serving as a responsible engineer or technical lead for mechanical component or subsystem development.
• Proven experience delivering hardware from concept through detailed design procurement build integration environmental test qualification and delivery.
• Deep experience designing precision mechanisms robotic systems aerospace hardware or electromechanical assemblies.
• Strong SolidWorks experience including complex CAD modeling production drawings GD&T tolerance analysis bills of material and mechanical design documentation.
• Experience using first-principles calculations tolerance analysis FEA inspection data and test results to guide design decisions.
• Strong knowledge of aerospace materials fabrication processes mechanical interfaces environmental requirements verification methods and design-for-manufacture principles.
• Hands-on experience supporting assembly integration troubleshooting inspection environmental testing qualification and design iteration.
• Experience leading technical reviews coordinating cross-functional teams communicating status and risks and mentoring other engineers.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE

• Masters degree in mechanical engineering aerospace engineering mechatronics robotics or another related engineering discipline.
• Direct experience with robotic manipulators in-space servicing planetary robotics precision spacecraft mechanisms or satellite deployment systems.
• Experience designing motorized mechanisms actuators gimbals gear trains harmonic drives bearings rotary sensors launch locks release devices or kinematic interfaces.
• Experience with structural vibration thermal or thermal-elastic analysis and interpretation of environmental test data.
• Experience with NASA JPL DoD commercial space or prime-contractor flight programs.
• Experience with AS9100 configuration management root-cause investigation failure analysis nonconformance disposition or test-anomaly resolution.
• Exceptional mechanical problem-solving technical communication and cross-functional leadership skills.

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting standing walking computer work and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise dust and fumes in production areas.

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 here ITAR Regulations.