Senior Mechanical Development & Test Engineer I
About The Position
Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team builds spacecraft, payloads, and the components and subsystems that support space missions. Based at the company’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Senior Mechanical Development & Test Engineer I is responsible for end-to-end design, build, testing, and execution of complex internal test capabilities. These capabilities may include qualification test setups and highly automated infrastructure for large-volume acceptance testing. Testing may involve avionics boxes, complex mechanisms, and fully integrated spacecraft in demanding environments. The role leads qualification test campaigns and development of acceptance-test infrastructure for production use. It also advises on internal test capabilities and future needs, manages test projects, works hands-on with test infrastructure, collaborates with design and test engineers to define requirements, and designs complex Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE). This position may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or another engineering discipline.
- At least 5 years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry.
- Experience using NX Nastran, NX CAD, and Teamcenter.
- Experience with component- and system-level environmental testing.
- Experience with test automation and post-test data analysis.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s or PhD in mechanical engineering or another engineering discipline.
- Experience with Confluence and JIRA.
- Experience using Python for automation and data analysis.
- Experience leading teams of engineers and technicians.
Responsibilities
- Lead qualification test campaigns.
- Lead development of high-volume acceptance-test infrastructure and its introduction onto the production floor.
- Advise on in-house test capabilities, limitations, and future needs.
- Manage test projects end-to-end, including resourcing, scheduling, and budgeting as needed.
- Perform hands-on implementation and validation of test infrastructure.
- Work with design and test engineers to iterate on design concepts and determine test requirements.
- Design complex Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) to support test implementation.
Benefits
- Company stock as part of total compensation.
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
- Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a significant company HSA contribution.
- Dental and vision coverage.
- Paid vacation and sick time.
- 11 paid holidays.
- Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
- Paid parental leave.
- Disability and life insurance.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
- Subsidized EV charging.
- Onsite fitness centers where available.
- Discounted gym memberships.
- Complimentary snacks and beverages.
- 50% employee discount on the company merchandise store.
- Other employee discounts.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
