Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer — Satellite Deployment

Rocket Lab USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 198,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer II with a SECRET clearance. The role focuses on developing high‑performance, lightweight satellite deployment systems and bus configurations, supporting internal leadership and investor deliverables.

Responsibilities span concept design through production, with hand-calcs and FEA driving decisions, plus leading reviews and CAD-based documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering.
• 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience.
• Experience with CAD modeling and drawing.
• Active Secret Clearance with ability to obtain TS/SCI.
• U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements.

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 modelling

Secret clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Job description

Rocket Lab USA in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer II with a SECRET clearance. The role focuses on developing high‑performance, lightweight satellite deployment systems and bus configurations, supporting internal leadership and investor deliverables.

Responsibilities span concept design through production, with hand-calcs and FEA driving decisions, plus leading reviews and CAD-based documentation.