Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer I - Deployment Systems

Rocket Lab USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (medical HMO/PPO)

401(k) retirement plan with company‑m​

Paid vacation (3 weeks)

Paid holidays (11 days)

Paid parental leave

Dental and vision coverage

Company stock purchase program

Onsite gym

Subsidized EV charging stations

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer I to join our Space Systems team in Long Beach, CA. You’ll design high‑performance, lightweight satellite deployment systems and bus configurations, work hands‑on with flight hardware, and drive development from concept through production.

You’ll perform hand‑calcs and FEA, lead reviews, and collaborate with Business Development on proposals while ensuring CAD documentation and test procedures are maintained.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering or related field.
• Mechanical engineering experience.
• Experience with CAD modeling and drawing.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance.
• U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities

• Support the Business Development team with proposals and mission concepts.
• Develop high performance and lightweight satellite systems, mechanisms, and satellite bus configurations.
• 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-calcs 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 experience

DoD security clearance eligibility

US citizenship requirement

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Tools

CAD modeling/drawing

Job description

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer I to join our Space Systems team in Long Beach, CA. You’ll design high‑performance, lightweight satellite deployment systems and bus configurations, work hands‑on with flight hardware, and drive development from concept through production.

You’ll perform hand‑calcs and FEA, lead reviews, and collaborate with Business Development on proposals while ensuring CAD documentation and test procedures are maintained.