Senior Mechanical Engineer – Space Robotics & Mechanisms

Rocket Lab Corporation; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, HDHP

Company stock with equity

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

Dependent care accounts

Paid parental leave

Disability and life insurance

401(k) with company match

EV charging subsidy

Onsite fitness centers

Snacks and beverages

Employee discounts (merch)

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer I/II based onsite at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA. You will lead mechanical design for space robotics, precision mechanisms, and ground support equipment, driving designs through analysis, reviews, procurement, assembly, and flight delivery.

The role demands hands‑on leadership, SolidWorks mastery, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and aerospace hardware delivery experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechatronics, robotics, or related field.
• 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience in aerospace or spaceflight hardware.
• Experience leading mechanical component or subsystem development and design reviews.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical and mechanism development with scope, schedule, and verification plans.
• Own technical execution through design, build, test, and delivery.
• Lead trade studies on architecture, tolerances, materials, and interfaces.
• Lead reviews with cross‑functional teams and drive closure of actions.
• Manage schedules, vendors, and budgets to meet program commitments.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to design standards and guidance.
• Develop precision mechanisms and robotic systems for spaceflight use.
• Translate requirements into practical mechanical architectures and verification approaches.
• Create production drawings, BOMs, and test procedures in SolidWorks.
• Apply GD&T, tolerance stacks, and FEA to guide decisions.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, systems, manufacturing, and QA teams.
• Support assembly, integration, and environmental testing.
• Coordinate with machine shops and suppliers for timely delivery.

Skills

Mechanical design

Aerospace hardware knowledge

Leadership & mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related

Tools

SolidWorks

First-principles calculations

FEM analysis

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer I/II based onsite at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA. You will lead mechanical design for space robotics, precision mechanisms, and ground support equipment, driving designs through analysis, reviews, procurement, assembly, and flight delivery.

The role demands hands‑on leadership, SolidWorks mastery, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and aerospace hardware delivery experience.