Space Systems Mechanical Engineer II

Rocket Lab USA; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 87,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation

Sick leave

HSA and other benefits

Flexible schedules

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA in Silver Spring, MD is seeking a Mechanical Engineer II or Senior Mechanical Engineer I to lead development of electromechanical space mechanisms from concept to production on aggressive timelines. The role focuses on design, analysis, and documentation for satellite separation mechanisms and related systems.

You will work with cross-functional teams, perform CAD/FEA, support test and verification, manage schedules, and contribute to proposals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field.
• 2+ years experience in aerospace or similar mechanical development.
• CAD and FEA proficiency.
• Thorough understanding of aerospace standards, environments, verification tests and requirements.
• Experience adapting to changing priorities and quickly resolving blockers.
• Experience managing complex projects across organizational teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead schedule-aggressive development of innovative space mechanisms from concept through implementation as responsible engineer.
• Design mechanisms and structures in CAD and analyze using hand calcs and FEA.
• Drive requirements definition, traceability, compliance, verification, and system validation.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, such as system design descriptions, CONOPS and ICDs.
• Create and maintain requirements verification matrices and risk management plans.
• Support environmental verification testing by assisting or leading test requirements, procedures and execution.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure proper functionality across system interfaces and for end users.
• Own, or significantly contribute to, development schedules, project milestone reviews and technical interchange meetings.

Skills

CAD and FEA proficiency

Team collaboration

Adaptability to change

Cross‑functional coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

NX CAD

Simcenter

FEA software

Job description

Rocket Lab USA in Silver Spring, MD is seeking a Mechanical Engineer II or Senior Mechanical Engineer I to lead development of electromechanical space mechanisms from concept to production on aggressive timelines. The role focuses on design, analysis, and documentation for satellite separation mechanisms and related systems.

You will work with cross-functional teams, perform CAD/FEA, support test and verification, manage schedules, and contribute to proposals.