Mechanical Project Engineer

Rocket Lab; Toronto; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Kepler Communications is seeking a Project Engineer to lead complex engineering efforts for spacecraft systems. This role focuses on managing cost and schedule while collaborating across teams to ensure reliable system performance. The ideal candidate will possess a strong mechanical engineering background and be adept at overseeing technical integration, crucial for advancing Kepler's mission in the space economy.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Unlimited vacation

Semi-annual company parties

Professional development fund

Fully stocked office kitchen

Qualifications

• 5+ years in technical leadership or project engineering roles.
• Experience delivering cross functional systems in regulated environments.
• Strong background in mechanical design including thermal, structural, CAD.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated product team for subsystem units.
• Manage cost, schedule, and scope from concept through delivery.
• Coordinate across disciplines to ensure consistent progress.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project engineering

Cross-functional coordination

Risk management

Mechanical design

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or similar

Job description

At Kepler Communications, we're not just imagining the future of connectivity - we're leading it!

Our mission is to provide real-time Internet access in space, enabling a new era of data-driven exploration and innovation. With 23 satellites already launched and a next-generation optical network on the way, we’re creating the infrastructure that will power the space economy for decades to come.

Technology is only part of the story. What sets Kepler apart is our team: bold thinkers, skilled builders, and passionate problem-solvers who thrive on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space. We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives, and we’re committed to creating an environment where you can grow, lead, and make a global impact.

If you’re ready to reach higher, move faster, and do work that shapes the future space economy - this is your launchpad. Come build the future with Kepler!

What We Offer:

- Competitive compensation with a robust equity plan to share in our success.

- Comprehensive coverage for health, dental, and vision insurance—including dependents.

- Unlimited vacation, supportive parental leave policy, and company-wide holiday shutdown.

- Semi-annual company-wide parties and frequent in-office team events.

- Relocation packages available for approved roles.

- $1,500 annual professional development fund to support your growth.

- Fully stocked Toronto office kitchen with snacks, drinks, games and top-notch kitchen appliances.

- Town Halls, Celebration Calls, and Company-wide events to stay connected and engaged.

- We’re a certified Great Place to Work, four years in a row!

Kepler is seeking a Project Engineer with a strong foundation in Mechanical systems to lead the delivery of complex engineering efforts for spacecraft systems. This role is central to Kepler’s mission of building a scalable platform in space, where mechanical systems are critical to the fundamental operation of the system. You will own cost, schedule, and technical integration, working across disciplines to ensure we deliver reliable, high-performance systems that meet mission needs.

Expected Time Breakdown:

30% – Scope, schedule, and cost management

30% – Cross-functional coordination and integration

20% – Risk management, stakeholder communication, and process adherence

20% – Mechanical design support

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead an integrated product team owning the development of related subsystem units
• Assign and prioritize execution of deliverables across assigned work packages
• Manage cost, schedule, and scope from concept through delivery, own the execution baseline
• Coordinate across disciplines (systems, software, hardware, QA, integration) to ensure consistent progress and clear technical direction
• Support interface development and integration
• Run technical milestone planning and readiness reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, PRR)
• Drive issue resolution, risk mitigation, and schedule recovery where needed
• Maintain alignment between program-level objectives and day-to-day engineering work
• Ensure adherence to engineering processes, quality standards, and system-level requirements
• Support mechanical design work as both contributor and design reviewer

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or similar
• 5+ years in technical leadership or project engineering roles, preferably in space, aerospace, automotive, or similar regulated environments
• Experience delivering cross functional systems, covering mechanical, electrical, software, from initial design to production
• Strong understanding of hardware architecture and the development lifecycle
• Solid grasp of development, verification, and validation practices, including test planning and quality gates
• Proficient in schedule management, cost estimation and completion tracking, and earned value methodologies
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams in fast-paced, resource-constrained environments
• Comfortable working in mixed hardware and software environments and resolving interface-level gaps
• Effective communicator and decision-maker across engineering, PMO, and leadership teams
• Strong background in mechanical design including thermal, structural, CAD, and manufacturing aspects

Bonus Points:

• Experience with design for space, including space industry program development phases and qualification requirements
• Knowledge of agile project management principles, especially as they apply to hardware development

Use of AI in Recruitment

At Kepler Communications, all hiring decisions are made by people. Human recruiters are involved in every step of our recruitment process. We use AI-based tools (such as Lever AI and HireEZ) to assist with the initial review of applications by ranking candidates based on job-relevant criteria. These tools support - but do not replace - human judgment.

Employment Equity & Accommodation Statement

Kepler Communications is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact our People & Culture team at [e-mail], and we will work with you to meet your needs.