Space Systems Mechanical Engineering Lead

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

Job summary

Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena seeks a hands-on Manager of Mechanical Engineering to lead a high‑performing team delivering space hardware, precision mechanisms, and electromechanical assemblies from concept to delivery.

You will mentor engineers, guide CAD development in SolidWorks, review designs, run trade studies, and ensure test, qualification, and production readiness while controlling cost, schedule, and quality.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree in mechanical/aerospace engineering or related field and 8+ years of hands-on mechanical engineering experience.
• Proven track record delivering space hardware from concept through design, build, test, and delivery.
• Experience leading engineers, providing mentoring, reviews, and staffing support.
• Strong background in mechanical design, precision mechanisms, robotics, and aerospace hardware.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and develop a team of mechanical engineers delivering space robotics, precision mechanisms, electromechanical assemblies, tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment.
• Foster a high‑performance engineering culture with technical ownership, clear documentation, hands‑on hardware delivery, and accountability.
• Support staffing, utilization, mentoring, performance feedback, career development, resource planning, budgets, and priorities.
• Serve as a hands‑on contributor while leading the team: CAD concepts, trade studies, analysis support, and issue resolution.
• Own mechanical design from concept through CAD, drawing release, procurement, assembly, environmental test, qualification, and delivery.
• Drive decisions on architecture, interfaces, tolerances, materials, fabrication, assembly flow, verification, and risk.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation plans to improve program execution and delivery.

Skills

Mechanical design

Robotics

Precision mechanisms

Aerospace hardware

Team leadership

Manufacturing & test

GD&T

Engineering analysis

Hardware integration

SolidWorks CAD

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena seeks a hands-on Manager of Mechanical Engineering to lead a high‑performing team delivering space hardware, precision mechanisms, and electromechanical assemblies from concept to delivery.

You will mentor engineers, guide CAD development in SolidWorks, review designs, run trade studies, and ensure test, qualification, and production readiness while controlling cost, schedule, and quality.