Manager, Mechanical Engineering

Rocket Lab; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 189,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Pasadena, CA is seeking a Manager, Mechanical Engineering to lead the mechanical engineering function and contribute technically to programs. You will manage people, guide technical execution, and engage deeply in design, build, test, and delivery of flight and ground hardware.

The ideal candidate has strong depth in mechanical design, precision mechanisms, robotics, GD&T, and experience delivering space hardware, with leadership to build a high-performing team.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on mechanical engineering experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Experience delivering high-reliability or spaceflight hardware from concept through delivery.
• Experience mentoring, staffing support, and performance feedback for engineers.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of mechanical engineers delivering space robotics and related high-reliability hardware.
• Foster a high-performance engineering culture with ownership, clear documentation, and hands-on delivery.
• Support staffing, utilization, mentoring, performance feedback, and budgets across programs.
• Lead hands-on contributions in mechanical concepts, CAD (SolidWorks), trade studies, and analysis.

Skills

Mechanical design

Robotics

Spaceflight hardware

CAD

GD&T

Analysis

Testing

Leadership

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations. Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Position Summary

Based in Pasadena, CA at Rocket Lab Robotics, the Manager, Mechanical Engineering will lead and support the mechanical engineering function while also contributing technically to programs. This role is intended for a hands‑on mechanical engineering leader who can manage people, guide technical execution, support staffing and utilization, and still engage deeply in design, analysis, build, test, and delivery of flight and ground hardware.

The ideal candidate has strong technical depth in mechanical design, precision mechanisms, robotics, spaceflight hardware, CAD, GD&T, analysis, manufacturing, assembly, integration, and environmental test, along with the leadership skills required to build a strong engineering culture and develop a high‑performing team. You will support utilization, career growth, performance, and well‑being of mechanical engineers while helping programs deliver fully validated mechanical and electromechanical systems that meet technical, cost, schedule, and quality targets.

What You’ll Get To Do

• Lead, manage, and develop a team of mechanical engineers delivering space robotics, precision mechanisms, electromechanical assemblies, tooling, fixtures, ground support equipment, and related high‑reliability hardware.
• Foster a high‑performance engineering culture built around technical ownership, practical design execution, clear documentation, hands‑on hardware delivery, and accountability.
• Support staffing, utilization, mentoring, performance feedback, career development, resource planning, budgets, and functional priorities across programs.
• Serve as a hands‑on technical contributor while leading the team, including developing mechanical concepts, creating and reviewing SolidWorks CAD, performing trade studies, supporting analysis, resolving design issues, and driving hardware through build, test, and delivery.
• Own and lead mechanical design efforts from concept through CAD, analysis, drawing release, procurement, assembly, integration, environmental test, qualification, and delivery.
• Drive technical decisions on mechanical architecture, packaging, interfaces, tolerance strategy, materials, fabrication approach, assembly flow, inspection planning, verification, and design risk.
• Identify technical, schedule, staffing, manufacturing, and test risks; develop mitigation plans to improve program execution and delivery.

Required Qualifications

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or another related engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of hands‑on mechanical engineering experience, including experience leading development efforts and supporting teams of engineers.
• Proven track record delivering high‑reliability or spaceflight hardware from concept through design, build, integration, environmental test, qualification, and delivery.
• Experience managing or technically leading engineers, including prioritization, mentoring, technical review, performance feedback, staffing support, and professional development.
• Strong background in mechanical design, precision mechanisms, robotics, electromechanical assemblies, aerospace hardware, tooling, fixtures, ground support equipment, or related systems.
• Experience with the full mechanical development cycle, including requirements definition, concept development, trade studies, CAD, analysis, drawing release, procurement, assembly, test, troubleshooting, and production readiness.
• Experience designing and delivering space mechanisms or similar high‑reliability motion systems, including motorized mechanisms, actuators, gimbals, gear trains, harmonic drives, bearings, motors, rotary sensors, springs, release devices, and kinematic or pseudo‑kinematic interfaces.
• Strong experience with SolidWorks as the primary CAD tool, including CAD modeling, production drawings, GD&T, tolerance analysis, mechanical analysis, bills of material, and design documentation.
• Hands‑on experience supporting hardware assembly, integration, troubleshooting, inspection, environmental test, qualification, and design iteration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with NASA, JPL, DoD, commercial space, or prime contractor flight programs.
• Experience with robotic manipulators, in‑space servicing, planetary robotics, precision spacecraft mechanisms, or similar space robotics systems.
• Experience establishing or scaling a mechanical engineering function, including hiring, technical standards, design review practices, mentoring, resource planning, and engineering process development.
• Experience with AS9100, ISO 9001, NASA standards, configuration management, quality systems, root cause investigations, failure analysis, nonconformance disposition, or test anomaly resolution.
• Strong communication, documentation, presentation, problem‑solving, 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.

Benefits

Base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related knowledge, skills, education, and experience. Employees may also receive company equity and a robust benefits package including top‑tier medical HMO, PPO, and a 100% company‑sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, three weeks paid vacation, five days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts. Base Pay Range (CA Only): $142,000 USD – $189,000 USD.

What To Expect

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, and it requires hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others deem impossible. Our people out‑think, out‑work, and out‑pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s 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 keep our focus on delivering rather than dwelling on challenges.

Important Information

US Office Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, Rocket Lab employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce. Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered.

New Zealand Office Requirements

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers. 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 U.S. ITAR. Under these regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the EU, or a NATO country, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.

EEO Statement

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, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.