Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer — Equity Opportunity

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Employee stock purchase program

Medical plans

Dental and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Stock discounts

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer I to join our Space Systems design team. You will develop high‑performance satellite deployment systems, mechanisms, and bus configurations, and work hands‑on with flight hardware to drive mission success.

You will own component designs from concept through production, performing hand calculations and FEA, and leading reviews with vendors and cross‑functional teams. A 5+ year background is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering (or related discipline).
• 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience.
• Experience with CAD modeling and drawing.
• U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities

• Support the Business Development team with proposals and mission concepts.
• Develop high performance and lightweight satellite systems, mechanisms, and satellite bus configurations for our customers.
• Develop concepts and satellite configurations for high value science and interplanetary missions.
• Define what mechanisms look like on a modern satellite system/bus.
• Own component designs from conceptual design through production, test, and operation.
• Perform hand-calcs and FEA to drive design decisions.
• Lead key component design, manufacturing, and test reviews.
• Create and maintain product definition through CAD, production drawings, and test and operations procedures.
• Manage development schedules, vendors, budgets, and other project deliverables.

Skills

CAD modeling

Mechanical design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer I to join our Space Systems design team. You will develop high‑performance satellite deployment systems, mechanisms, and bus configurations, and work hands‑on with flight hardware to drive mission success.

You will own component designs from concept through production, performing hand calculations and FEA, and leading reviews with vendors and cross‑functional teams. A 5+ year background is required.