Mechanical Engineer I

Rocket Lab Corporation; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Mechanical Engineer I based at our Silver Spring, MD site to contribute to innovative spaceflight mechanisms, focusing on separation systems. You will design, build, and optimize products and processes, driving improvements for faster, better, and smarter spacecraft development.

The role involves hands-on assembly, collaboration with machinists and vendors, and occasional travel to meet customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, electrical, mechanical, robotics, or systems engineering.
• Understanding of electrical circuitry.
• Capacity to comply with the federally mandated U.S. export control laws.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on assembly and physical production of mechanical space systems.
• Identify and implement quality and process-related initiatives and improvements.
• Improve electro-mechanical space systems, including design, prototyping, production, and test.
• Analysis of mechanical systems via classical and computer methods; consult with machinists and vendors to assure proper manufacture of components.
• Inspection and quality control of machined parts.
• Travel occasionally to meet with customers regarding products.

Skills

Electrical circuitry

Export controls compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, electrical, mechanical or systems engineering

Job description

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

MECHANICAL ENGINEER I

As a Mechanical Engineer I, based at Rocket Lab’s site in Silver Spring, Maryland, you will be part of a team dedicated to producing innovative spaceflight mechanism concepts, specifically separation systems. You will play a critical role in designing, building, and optimizing the products and processes that bring these ideas to life while continuously driving improvements for faster, better, smarter ways to build.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Hands-on assembly and physical production of mechanical space systems
• Identify and implement quality and process-related initiatives and improvements
• Improve electro-mechanical space systems, including design, prototyping, production, and test
• Analysis of mechanical systems via classical and computer methods • Consult with machinists and vendors to assure proper manufacture of components
• Inspection and quality control of machined parts
• Travel occasionally to meet with customers regarding products

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, computer, electrical, mechanical, robotics, or systems engineering
• Understanding of electrical circuitry
• Capacity to comply with the federally mandated of U.S. export control laws

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO H...