Senior Mechanical Engineer, Space Mechanisms Lead

Rocketlab; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 114,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top-tier medical coverage (HMO/PPO)

Company equity

100% company-sponsored HSA

Dental and vision coverage

3 weeks vacation + 7 sick days

11 holidays

401(k) with company match

Employee stock purchase program

Flex schedule

Free breakfast/lunch 2x/week

Free snacks/drinks

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Silver Spring, MD seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer II to lead development of electromechanical space mechanisms from concept to production on aggressive timelines. The role involves CAD/FEA design, requirements management, and cross‑functional collaboration within a busy Space Systems team.

The position offers a competitive base salary (MD), comprehensive benefits, and opportunities to mentor engineers while delivering missions to space. Base pay range is displayed for MD only.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in aerospace mechanical development projects.
• 3+ years as responsible engineer on mechanical development projects.
• Experience mentoring other engineers.
• CAD and FEA proficiency.
• Thorough understandings of aerospace standards, environments, verification tests and requirements.
• Experience managing complex projects across organizational teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead schedule-aggressive development of innovative space mechanisms from concept through implementation as responsible engineer.
• Design mechanisms and structures in CAD and analyze using hand calcs and FEA.
• Lead requirements definition, traceability, compliance, verification, and system validation.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation such as system design descriptions, CONOPS, and ICDs.
• Create and maintain requirements verification matrices and risk management plans.
• Support continuous improvements to the engineering approach and best practices.
• Generate technical reports and presentations to communicate findings to stakeholders and partners.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure proper functionality across system interfaces.
• Own development schedules, milestone reviews, and technical interchange meetings.
• Mentor other engineers.
• Support business development proposals and custom SOWs.
• Travel to suppliers/customers/Rocket Lab sites ~10%.

Skills

Aerospace development experience

Responsible engineer

Mentoring engineers

CAD and FEA proficiency

Aerospace standards knowledge

Project management experience

Education

MS degree in engineering (nice to have)

Tools

NX CAD

Simcenter FEA

Job description

Rocket Lab in Silver Spring, MD seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer II to lead development of electromechanical space mechanisms from concept to production on aggressive timelines. The role involves CAD/FEA design, requirements management, and cross‑functional collaboration within a busy Space Systems team.

The position offers a competitive base salary (MD), comprehensive benefits, and opportunities to mentor engineers while delivering missions to space. Base pay range is displayed for MD only.