Senior Mechanical Engineer – Space Robotics Lead

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

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Rocket Lab, a leading end-to-end space company, is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer II to lead mechanical design and mechanism development for space robotics and ground support equipment based onsite in Pasadena, CA. The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and flight hardware delivery.

Ideal candidates have extensive SolidWorks experience, aeronautical hardware exposure, and a track record of taking designs from concept through qualification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical/aerospace/mechatronics/robotics or related field.
• 8+ years of professional mechanical engineering experience, including aerospace/spaceflight/robotics.
• 3+ years as responsible engineer or technical lead for mechanical development.
• Proven experience delivering hardware from concept to delivery.
• Deep experience designing precision mechanisms and robotic systems.
• Strong SolidWorks experience with GD&T and BOMs.
• Experience with first-principles calculations, tolerance analysis, and FEA.
• Knowledge of aerospace materials and manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with assembly, integration, testing, and qualification.
• Experience leading technical reviews and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical and mechanism development efforts with scope, schedule, risks, and verification plans.
• Own technical execution through design, procurement, build, test, qualification, and delivery.
• Lead trade studies on architecture, interfaces, materials, and tolerances.
• Lead design, manufacturing, and test reviews with stakeholders and document actions.
• Manage schedules, vendors, budgets, and risk mitigation for program commitments.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to design standards and best practices.
• Develop precision mechanisms and robotic systems for spaceflight and ground uses.
• Translate program needs into practical mechanical architectures and verification approaches.
• Create and maintain 3D models, drawings, BOMs, and test procedures in SolidWorks.
• Document decisions, analyses, test results, and verification evidence.

Skills

Mechanical design

Aerospace hardware

Leadership

Design reviews

GD&T

Tolerance analysis

DFM

Mentoring

Procurement

Education

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

Tools

SolidWorks

FEM/FEA

Precision mechanisms

Job description

Rocket Lab, a leading end-to-end space company, is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer II to lead mechanical design and mechanism development for space robotics and ground support equipment based onsite in Pasadena, CA. The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and flight hardware delivery.

Ideal candidates have extensive SolidWorks experience, aeronautical hardware exposure, and a track record of taking designs from concept through qualification.