Senior Spacecraft Systems Design Engineer

Socket.dev; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Comprehensive health plans

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Rocket Lab, a leader in orbital access, seeks a Senior Systems Engineer I – Spacecraft Design in Long Beach, CA. You will drive the mechanical formulation of new satellite systems, oversee budgets, requirements, testing, and verification, and guide the mechanical development from concept to production.

You will shape configurations for high-value missions, manage interfaces, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust spacecraft hardware and deployable mechanisms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry.
• Experience supporting satellite/spacecraft development programs.
• Experience with CAD modeling and drawing.
• US citizenship is required, due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical formulation for satellite systems, including structures and mechanisms.
• Develop high-performance, lightweight satellite bus configurations.
• Define deployment systems and mechanisms for satellites.
• Manage mechanical budgets, requirements, verification, and testing.
• Lead mechanical development from concept through production, test, and operation.
• Create and maintain CAD drawings, production drawings, and test procedures.

Skills

Satellite/spacecraft experience

CAD modeling

US citizenship

Mechanical engineering degree

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

JAMA or DOORS (requirements management)

Job description

Rocket Lab, a leader in orbital access, seeks a Senior Systems Engineer I – Spacecraft Design in Long Beach, CA. You will drive the mechanical formulation of new satellite systems, oversee budgets, requirements, testing, and verification, and guide the mechanical development from concept to production.

You will shape configurations for high-value missions, manage interfaces, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust spacecraft hardware and deployable mechanisms.