Space Systems Mechanical Engineering Lead

Rocket Lab USA; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 189,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

3 weeks paid vacation

5 days sick leave

11 paid holidays

401(k) company match

Employee stock purchase program

EV charging access

Onsite gym

Meals and refreshments

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA in Pasadena, CA, seeks a Manager of Mechanical Engineering to lead and contribute to the mechanical engineering function. You will guide design, analysis, build, test and delivery of flight and ground hardware, while developing a high‑performing team.

The role requires strong leadership, deep mechanical design expertise, experience with space mechanisms, and hands‑on validation of hardware across programs.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Mechatronics or Robotics.
• 8+ years hands-on mechanical engineering with leadership.
• Proven track record delivering high‑reliability space hardware from concept to delivery.
• Experience leading engineers including mentoring and staffing.
• Strong background in mechanical design, robotics, aerospace hardware and tooling.
• Experience with full development cycle: requirements, CAD, analysis, build, test, production readiness.
• Experience with space mechanisms and high‑reliability motion systems.
• SolidWorks CAD with GD&T, modelling, drawings, BOM, and documentation.
• Hands-on experience in assembly, integration, testing, and iteration.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of mechanical engineers delivering space robotics and related hardware.
• Foster high-performance culture around technical ownership and hands‑on delivery.
• Support staffing, mentoring, performance feedback, and program priorities.
• Serve as hands‑on contributor while guiding the team through design and build.
• Own mechanical design from concept through CAD, analysis, and delivery.
• Drive architecture decisions, interfaces, tolerances, materials, and fabrication.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation plans to improve execution.

Skills

Mechanical design

Precision mechanisms

Robotics

Spaceflight hardware

Team leadership

SolidWorks CAD

GD&T

Hardware integration

Education

Mechanical / Aerospace / Mechatronics / Robotics degree

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Rocket Lab USA in Pasadena, CA, seeks a Manager of Mechanical Engineering to lead and contribute to the mechanical engineering function. You will guide design, analysis, build, test and delivery of flight and ground hardware, while developing a high‑performing team.

The role requires strong leadership, deep mechanical design expertise, experience with space mechanisms, and hands‑on validation of hardware across programs.