Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer I - Build & Test Flight Hardware

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock purchase program

Medical plans

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Paid time off

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer I to join the Space Systems team. You will develop high‑performance satellite systems, mechanisms, and bus configurations, and work hands‑on with flight hardware to advance space missions.

The role covers design from concept through production, supports proposals, and requires CAD proficiency and DoD clearance eligibility. Citizenship is required for program access.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical/related engineering.
• Experience with mechanical engineering principles.
• Ability to obtain DoD security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Support the Business Development team with proposals and mission concepts
• Develop high performance and lightweight satellite systems, mechanisms, and satellite bus configurations for our customers
• Develop concepts and satellite configurations for high value science and interplanetary missions
• Define what mechanisms look like on a modern satellite system/bus
• Own component designs from conceptual design through production, test, and operation
• Perform hand-calc and FEA to drive design decisions
• Lead key component design, manufacturing, and test reviews
• Create and maintain product definition through CAD, production drawings, and test and operations procedures
• Manage development schedules, vendors, budgets, and other project deliverables

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Tools

CAD modeling

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer I to join the Space Systems team. You will develop high‑performance satellite systems, mechanisms, and bus configurations, and work hands‑on with flight hardware to advance space missions.

The role covers design from concept through production, supports proposals, and requires CAD proficiency and DoD clearance eligibility. Citizenship is required for program access.