Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer II
About The Position
Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer II to join its space vehicle design team in Long Beach, California. The team supports the Space Systems division and leads programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers. The role develops high-performance, lightweight satellite deployment systems, mechanisms, and satellite bus configurations, and contributes hands-on to flight hardware and technical development of Space Systems missions. The engineer will support proposals and mission concepts, develop satellite concepts and configurations for science and interplanetary missions, and take component designs from concept through production, test, and operation. The role also includes analytical work, design and test reviews, product definition, and management of schedules, vendors, budgets, and deliverables. This position may involve prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. U.S. citizenship is required by the stated program requirements. The California base pay range is $141,800–$236,200 USD; level and base salary are determined case by case based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or another engineering discipline.
- At least 8 years of mechanical engineering experience.
- Experience with CAD modeling and drawing.
- U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s or PhD in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or another engineering discipline.
- Spacecraft or satellite design experience.
- Experience with rapid conceptual design iteration.
- Exceptional mechanical mechanism problem-solving skills.
- Hands-on development and testing experience.
- Experience analyzing and interpreting thermal and vibration test data.
- Ability to take a product from concept through production with little supervision.
- Highly self-motivated and able to work autonomously.
- Ability to apply GD&T to component designs.
- Experience developing satellite deployment systems.
- General spacecraft systems engineering knowledge, including experience with requirements assessments and interface control document generation.
Responsibilities
- Support the Business Development team with proposals and mission concepts.
- Develop high-performance, lightweight satellite systems, mechanisms, and satellite bus configurations for customers.
- Develop concepts and satellite configurations for high-value science and interplanetary missions.
- Define mechanism designs for modern satellite systems and buses.
- Own component designs from conceptual design through production, test, and operation.
- Perform hand calculations and finite element analysis (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.
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 company HSA contribution.
- Dental coverage.
- Vision coverage.
- Paid vacation and sick time.
- 11 paid holidays.
- Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
- Paid parental leave.
- Disability insurance.
- 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
