Ground Support Engineer II

Rocket Lab•Middle River, MD

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is seeking a Ground Support Engineer to support the Neutron Program in Middle River, Maryland. Ground Support Engineers design, analyze, procure, test, and operate ground support equipment and tooling for rocket production, transport, and test operations. This position may be filled at Level II or Senior level, depending on experience. The Ground Support Engineer develops production and transport tooling and ground support equipment, performs structural analysis, and creates engineering documentation for fabrication and assembly. The role coordinates equipment proof testing and manages projects through scheduling, fabrication, commissioning, and implementation, while providing technical guidance to internal teams. The position may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. Compensation includes base pay and company equity. Benefits include an Employee Stock Purchase Program, medical coverage, dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, a 401(k) plan with company match, and onsite snacks and drinks. U.S. applicants must meet applicable ITAR requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace, or a related engineering discipline, or 9+ years of experience in lieu of a degree.
2+ years of tooling design and analysis experience, or 9+ years of experience in lieu of a degree.
Technical project management or manufacturing design experience.
Advanced understanding of mechanical design principles, including GD&T, efficient load paths, structural connections, and material properties.
Experience designing large structures for critical operations, such as crane lifts, transport, vertical and horizontal structural alignment, and production tooling.

Nice To Haves

Tooling manufacturing experience in aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, marine, or other large-scale fabrication industries.
Experience with advanced non-linear FEA, CFD, and heat transfer analysis methods.
Proficiency reading electrical schematics and P&IDs.
Experience with metrology using a measurement arm or laser tracker.
Experience integrating hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical power systems, such as screws and hoists.
Experience developing lift plans and specifying rigging for mobile and overhead cranes.
Project management experience in a fast-paced prototype fabrication shop.
Proficiency with Siemens NX or similar CAD/PLM software.
Hands-on proficiency with hand tools and basic fabrication equipment.

Responsibilities

Concept and design production tooling, ground support equipment, and transport tooling based on inputs from manufacturing engineers and the production group.
Perform structural analysis using hand calculations and finite element analysis (FEA) to ensure designs meet margining requirements.
Produce engineering drawings, schematics, and work instructions to communicate design specifications and assembly tasks to fabricators and technicians.
Coordinate and perform proof testing on equipment to confirm fabrication and assembly meet design requirements.
Own project schedules, fabrication, and commissioning or implementation.
Provide technical guidance to internal machinists, fabricators, technicians, and procurement teams to deliver projects on time.