Spacecraft Mechanisms Engineer I

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

Job summary

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

You will own designs from concept through production, perform hand calculations and FEA, and participate in design reviews. U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain DoD clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other engineering discipline.
• Mechanical engineering experience.
• Experience with CAD modeling and drawing.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance.
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support the Space Systems 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 experience

CAD modeling

Drawing (engineering drawings)

DoD clearance eligibility

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other engineering discipline

Master’s or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering (nice to have)

Active Secret or TS/SCI clearance (nice to have)

Job description

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

You will own designs from concept through production, perform hand calculations and FEA, and participate in design reviews. U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain DoD clearance are required.