Space Systems Mechanical Engineering Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Top tier medical

Paid vacation and holidays

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Pasadena seeks a Manager of Mechanical Engineering to lead the mechanical engineering function and contribute technically to flight and ground hardware. This hands-on leadership role requires driving design, analysis, build, test, and delivery while mentoring a high-performing team.

You will own mechanical architecture, CAD work in SolidWorks, GD&T, and development cycles from concept to qualification, with a focus on space robotics and high-reliability hardware.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related field.
• 8+ years of hands-on mechanical engineering experience including leadership.
• Experience delivering high-reliability/spaceflight hardware from concept to delivery.
• Experience managing or technically leading engineers with staffing support.
• Strong background in mechanical design, robotics, aerospace hardware, tooling, fixtures, ground support equipment, or related systems.
• Experience with the full mechanical development cycle: requirements, concept development, CAD, drawing release, procurement, assembly, test.
• Experience designing and delivering space mechanisms or high‑reliability motion systems.
• SolidWorks CAD proficiency, GD&T, tolerance analysis, BOMs, and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of mechanical engineers delivering space robotics and high‑reliability hardware.
• Foster a high‑performance culture built around technical ownership, practical design execution, documentation, hands‑on hardware delivery, and accountability.
• Support staffing, utilization, mentoring, performance feedback, and program priorities across programs.
• Serve as a hands‑on technical contributor while leading the team through design, analysis, and build.
• Own and lead mechanical design from concept through CAD, analysis, drawing release, procurement, and delivery.
• Drive technical decisions on architecture, interfaces, tolerances, materials, fabrication approaches, assembly flow, inspection planning, verification, and design risk.
• Identify technical, schedule, staffing, manufacturing, and test risks; develop mitigation plans to improve program execution and delivery.

Skills

Hands-on engineering leadership

Mechanical design

SolidWorks CAD

GD&T

Staffing & mentoring

Systems integration

Trade studies

Technical ownership

Education

Mechanical/Aerospace/Robotics degree

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Rocket Lab in Pasadena seeks a Manager of Mechanical Engineering to lead the mechanical engineering function and contribute technically to flight and ground hardware. This hands-on leadership role requires driving design, analysis, build, test, and delivery while mentoring a high-performing team.

You will own mechanical architecture, CAD work in SolidWorks, GD&T, and development cycles from concept to qualification, with a focus on space robotics and high-reliability hardware.