Senior Mechanical Engineer, Space Robotics Lead

Socket.dev; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Comprehensive medical plans

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

401(k) with company match

EV charging subsidies

Onsite fitness centers

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Pasadena, CA, is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer II to lead space robotics hardware development, from concept through flight delivery. You’ll design precision mechanisms, oversee verification, and mentor engineers in a fast-growing space company.

Join a team delivering satellites, spacecraft components, and ground support equipment, with competitive pay, stock, and industry-leading benefits tailored for engineers working on high-reliability hardware.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in mechanical engineering, aerospace, robotics, or high-reliability hardware.
• 3+ years as responsible engineer or technical lead.
• Experience delivering hardware from concept to flight delivery.
• Strong experience with precision mechanisms and aerospace hardware.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical and mechanism development with scope, schedule, risk, and verification plans.
• Own complex components through design, build, test, and delivery.
• Lead trade studies on mechanical architecture, interfaces, and tolerance strategies.
• Coordinate reviews with cross-functional teams and drive closure.
• Manage schedules, vendors, budgets, and risk mitigation.

Skills

SolidWorks

GD&T

Tolerance analysis

Mechanical design

Cross-functional leadership

First-principles calculations

Finite element analysis

Hardware integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechatronics, robotics, or related field

Tools

ANSYS

Job description

Rocket Lab in Pasadena, CA, is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer II to lead space robotics hardware development, from concept through flight delivery. You’ll design precision mechanisms, oversee verification, and mentor engineers in a fast-growing space company.

Join a team delivering satellites, spacecraft components, and ground support equipment, with competitive pay, stock, and industry-leading benefits tailored for engineers working on high-reliability hardware.