Director, Space Vehicle Design

Rocket Lab Corporation•Long Beach, CA

8h•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations. The 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. 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. Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Director of Space Vehicle Design is a hands-on leadership role that reports to the Space Systems Chief Engineer. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team of mechanical, structural, and thermal engineers; and you will need to guide and mentor them while working alongside them on spacecraft development programs. You will also need to communicate your technical strategy and work cross-functionally on projects with almost every other engineering team. Our ideal candidate is someone with a strong mechanical, structural, and thermal engineering background who has previously led spacecraft development programs. They will have expertise in designing, analyzing, building, and testing spacecraft structures and mechanisms. They will have successfully led engineering teams through challenging projects and will be comfortable working in a fast-paced development environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other technical discipline
U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
12+ years of engineering experience
Spacecraft/satellite design experience
3+ years of experience as a team lead or manager
Expertise in Siemens NX and Teamcenter
Expertise in CAD, drafting, and GD&T
Multiple successes in bringing spacecraft hardware from concept through launch
Direct experience bringing spacecraft assemblies through environmental testing
Demonstrable methodological approach to spacecraft design and development programs
Experience in design and development spacecraft assemblies, space mechanisms and deployables, spacecraft avionics, and/or propulsion systems
Experience in spacecraft structural dynamics in one or more of the following areas: environments and loads, random vibration, sine vibration, acoustic, and modal testing and/or analysis
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing
Must be physically able to commute to buildings
Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise

Nice To Haves

Master’s or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other technical discipline
Comfortable executing on aggressive deadlines within a high-pressure environment
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Previous experience leading a large and multi-disciplinary team (20+ engineers)

Responsibilities

Work directly with the Space Systems Chief Engineer in technical decision-making processes and guide technical development across the Space Vehicle Design team
Perform functional management duties with team leads, including 1-on-1s, performance reviews, and supporting their career development
Provide technical mentorship to team members and monitor technical integrity of all team members’ contributions
Work with cross-discipline teams (i.e. Supply Chain, Assembly Integration & Test, Production, Quality) to ensure smooth interfaces and handoffs within the greater Space Systems organization
Work closely with engineers, test engineers, and production to iterate through design concepts, with a focus on design-for-manufacture and design-for-integration
Develop and maintain design and analysis standards, documentation templates, test specifications, and other processes for the SVD team