Mechanical Systems Engineer, Launch Vehicle

Rocketlab; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Auckland, New Zealand, seeks a System Engineer—Mechanical to integrate mechanical and fluid systems across Thermofluids, Propulsion, GNC, and Structures. You’ll architect launch vehicle elements, drive design decisions, and ensure rigorous verification from concept through integration to launch.

The role emphasizes cross‑functional collaboration, delivering complex multidisciplinary systems, and maintaining high engineering standards in a dynamic, high‑pace environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 1-5 years’ industry experience in a relevant technical field (Structures, Fluid Systems, Mechanisms, Propulsion).
• Experience delivering complex multidisciplinary systems incl. fluid systems, structures, mechanisms and/or propulsion with awareness of avionics and GNC.
• Proven track record collaborating with cross‑functional stakeholders to guide projects from concept to completion.
• Strong communication skills and ability to build relationships with engineers and professionals.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines in a high‑pressure environment.
• Willingness to learn new material to solve difficult, ambiguous challenges.

Responsibilities

• Drive cross‑functional teams to ensure mechanical and fluid systems integrate to deliver vehicle objectives.
• Verify requirements through analysis and test; ensure verification artefacts are linked to requirements.
• Own emergent systems; architect the solution and drive through design, verification and implementation.
• Define and improve interface management processes to align early tools with production systems.
• Contribute to technical program decisions by identifying gaps in architecture or processes and implementing fixes.
• Communicate product status internally and externally, even with incomplete information.
• Define and uphold high‑quality systems engineering processes.

Skills

Systems engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

CAD

Engineering drawings

GNC familiarity

Propulsion knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering

Tools

Rhapsody

DOORS

Jama

Job description

Rocket Lab in Auckland, New Zealand, seeks a System Engineer—Mechanical to integrate mechanical and fluid systems across Thermofluids, Propulsion, GNC, and Structures. You’ll architect launch vehicle elements, drive design decisions, and ensure rigorous verification from concept through integration to launch.

The role emphasizes cross‑functional collaboration, delivering complex multidisciplinary systems, and maintaining high engineering standards in a dynamic, high‑pace environment.