Senior Mechanical Engineer II — Space Robotics Leader

Rocket Lab USA; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Competitive base pay

Comprehensive benefits package

Onsite facilities and resources

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA in Pasadena, CA seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer II to lead mechanical design and mechanism development for space robotics and ground support equipment. You will translate program needs into practical architectures, drive designs through analysis, review, procurement, and flight delivery, and mentor junior engineers.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on leadership, deep SolidWorks experience, and strong tolerance analysis for spaceflight hardware.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechatronics, robotics, or another related engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of professional mechanical engineering experience, including aerospace/spaceflight/robotics hardware.
• 3+ years serving as a responsible engineer or technical lead for mechanical subsystems.
• Proven experience delivering hardware from concept to delivery.
• Deep experience with precision mechanisms and spaceflight hardware.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical and mechanism development efforts, including scope, schedule, risks, milestones, and verification plans.
• Act as responsible engineer for complex components and drive design through procurement, assembly, integration, test, and delivery.
• Lead design reviews and coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure build-ready solutions.
• Develop and maintain CAD models, drawings, bills of materials, and verification data in SolidWorks.
• Mentor engineers, contribute to design standards, and drive manufacturability improvements.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, systems, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and test teams.

Skills

Mechanical design

Cross-functional leadership

Mentoring

Tolerance analysis

Spaceflight hardware

System engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical/ aerospace engineering or related discipline

Tools

SolidWorks

GD&T

Job description

Rocket Lab USA in Pasadena, CA seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer II to lead mechanical design and mechanism development for space robotics and ground support equipment. You will translate program needs into practical architectures, drive designs through analysis, review, procurement, and flight delivery, and mentor junior engineers.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on leadership, deep SolidWorks experience, and strong tolerance analysis for spaceflight hardware.