Senior Space Vehicle Development Engineer

JobSpace; Auckland; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in New Zealand offers a Senior Development Engineer role to shape the architecture of the Neutron launch vehicle. You will collaborate with analysis and manufacturing engineers to create concepts, detailed designs, and drawing packages for metallic and composite components and assemblies, and oversee development tests to verify performance.

The position requires hands-on CAD work, rapid iteration, and testing oversight to ensure manufacturability and reliability.

Qualifications

• 5+ years designing high performance mechanical systems.
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Strong analytical skills and big-picture thinking.
• Tenacity with quick, accurate judgment.

Responsibilities

• Produce & rapidly iterate conceptual designs in CAD for structures and mechanisms across the Neutron launch vehicle.
• Identify and solve technical challenges to keep projects moving safely and quickly.
• Prepare drawing packages and technical reports with manufacturability in mind.
• Define design requirements in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Support testing of structures and mechanisms, including composites and metals.
• Develop test plans, monitor tests, and document results.
• Produce test jigs/fixtures to aid testing.

Skills

CAD design

NX CAD

Fibersim

SolidWorks

CATIA

Pressure handling

Team collaboration

Analytical thinking

Decision making

Education

Aerospace/mechanical/mechatronic engineering degree

Tools

NX

Fibersim

SolidWorks

CATIA

Job description

Rocket Lab in New Zealand offers a Senior Development Engineer role to shape the architecture of the Neutron launch vehicle. You will collaborate with analysis and manufacturing engineers to create concepts, detailed designs, and drawing packages for metallic and composite components and assemblies, and oversee development tests to verify performance.

The position requires hands-on CAD work, rapid iteration, and testing oversight to ensure manufacturability and reliability.