Senior Mechanical Engineer 1

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.  

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions. 

SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER I

Based onsite at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, California, the Senior Mechanical Engineer II will lead mechanical design and mechanism development efforts for space robotics, precision mechanisms, electromechanical assemblies, tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment. The role translates program, production, and test needs into practical mechanical architectures and drives approved designs through analysis, review, procurement, assembly, integration, environmental test, qualification, and flight delivery. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader with deep experience in SolidWorks, precision mechanical design, mechanisms, tolerance analysis, manufacturability, and spaceflight hardware delivery.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO

• Lead assigned mechanical and mechanism development efforts, including definition of scope, requirements, schedules, technical risks, project milestones, and verification plans.
• Serve as responsible engineer for complex components or subsystems and own technical execution through design, procurement, build, test, qualification, and delivery.
• Lead trade studies and technical decisions involving mechanical architecture, packaging, interfaces, tolerance strategy, materials, fabrication approach, assembly flow, inspection planning, verification, and design risk.
• Lead design, manufacturing, and test reviews with engineering, production, quality, supply chain, and test stakeholders; document actions and drive closure.
• Manage technical schedules, vendors, budgets, build priorities, and risk-mitigation activities needed to meet program commitments.
• Mentor less-experienced engineers and contribute to mechanical design standards, best practices, design-for-manufacture improvements, and lessons learned.
• Develop precision mechanisms, robotic systems, electromechanical assemblies, tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment for spaceflight and ground applications.
• Translate program, system, production, and test needs into practical mechanical architectures, interfaces, packaging concepts, and verification approaches.
• Develop mechanical hardware through concept development, trade studies, detailed design, analysis, drawing release, procurement, assembly, integration, environmental test, qualification, and delivery.
• Design space mechanisms and motion systems including actuators, gimbals, gear trains, harmonic drives, bearings, motors, rotary sensors, springs, launch locks, release devices, and kinematic or pseudo-kinematic interfaces.
• Create and maintain product definition in SolidWorks, including 3D CAD models, production drawings, interface details, bills of material, assembly documentation, test procedures, and supporting design analyses.
• Apply GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, material and process selection, first-principles calculations, and finite element analysis to make sound design decisions.
• Design hardware for stiffness, strength, thermal environments, vibration and shock, tolerance control, manufacturability, inspectability, assembly, integration, and test.
• Work closely with electrical, software, systems, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and test teams to evaluate alternatives and deliver practical, build-ready solutions.
• •Support hardware assembly, integration, troubleshooting, inspection, environmental testing, qualification testing, fixture development, and review of test data.
• Coordinate with machine shops and suppliers to resolve fabrication questions, evaluate manufacturing approaches, and support timely hardware delivery.
• Document technical decisions, design analyses, test results, risks, and verification evidence in support of program milestones and design reviews.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechatronics, robotics, or another related engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of professional mechanical engineering experience, including significant aerospace, spaceflight, robotics, or other high-reliability hardware development experience.
• 3+ years serving as a responsible engineer or technical lead for mechanical component or subsystem development.
• Proven experience delivering hardware from concept through detailed design, procurement, build, integration, environmental test, qualification, and delivery.
• Deep experience designing precision mechanisms, robotic systems, aerospace hardware, or electromechanical assemblies.
• Strong SolidWorks experience, including complex CAD modeling, production drawings, GD&T, tolerance analysis, bills of material, and mechanical design documentation.
• Experience using first-principles calculations, tolerance analysis, FEA, inspection data, and test results to guide design decisions.
• Strong knowledge of aerospace materials, fabrication processes, mechanical interfaces, environmental requirements, verification methods, and design-for-manufacture principles.
• Hands-on experience supporting assembly, integration, troubleshooting, inspection, environmental testing, qualification, and design iteration.
• Experience leading technical reviews, coordinating cross-functional teams, communicating status and risks, and mentoring other engineers.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE

• Master's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechatronics, robotics, or another related engineering discipline.
• Direct experience with robotic manipulators, in-space servicing, planetary robotics, precision spacecraft mechanisms, or satellite deployment systems.
• Experience designing motorized mechanisms, actuators, gimbals, gear trains, harmonic drives, bearings, rotary sensors, launch locks, release devices, or kinematic interfaces.
• Experience with structural, vibration, thermal, or thermal-elastic analysis and interpretation of environmental test data.
• Experience with NASA, JPL, DoD, commercial space, or prime-contractor flight programs.
• Experience with AS9100, configuration management, root-cause investigation, failure analysis, nonconformance disposition, or test-anomaly resolution.
• Exceptional mechanical problem-solving, technical communication, and cross-functional leadership skills.

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Total Compensation (base and equity) 135475 - 179675 USD
Base Salary 115200 - 144000 USD