Lead Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer — Mission Formulation

Rocket Lab USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company equity

Medical, dental and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Discounted stock purchase

Onsite gym and wellness programs

EV charging stations

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer II - Mission Formulation to lead the mechanical formulation of new satellite systems. Based in Long Beach, CA, you will manage budgets, requirements, and verification, guiding aerospace programs from concept through production.

You will develop high-performance satellite bus configurations, mechanisms, and deployment concepts, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver turnkey space missions and systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline.
• 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience in the aerospace industry.
• Experience supporting satellite and/or spacecraft development programs.
• Experience with CAD modeling and drawing.
• US citizenship is required, due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead Rocket Lab's satellite mechanical engineering formulation supporting business development and new opportunity capture.
• Develop high performance and lightweight satellite bus configurations, structures, and mechanisms for our customers.
• Develop concepts and satellite configurations for high value science and interplanetary missions.
• Define what mechanisms and deployment systems look like on a modern satellite system/bus.
• Develop and maintain: mass and mechanical technical budgets; mechanical system requirements and verification techniques; structural, mechanism, and packaging analyses; test methods and data analysis.
• Lead and own the mechanical technical development of spacecraft missions from conceptual design through production, test, and operation.
• Create and maintain product definition through CAD, production drawings, and test and operations procedures.
• Assist with program and product management, including development schedules, vendors, and budgets.
• Develop, in collaboration with team members, mechanical interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents.

Skills

US citizenship

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Master's or PhD in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

CAD modeling and drawing

Job description

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer II - Mission Formulation to lead the mechanical formulation of new satellite systems. Based in Long Beach, CA, you will manage budgets, requirements, and verification, guiding aerospace programs from concept through production.

You will develop high-performance satellite bus configurations, mechanisms, and deployment concepts, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver turnkey space missions and systems.