Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer I

About the Role

Rocket Lab is seeking a Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer I to join their space vehicle design team in Long Beach, CA. This role supports the Space Systems division, focusing on developing high-performance and lightweight satellite systems for civil, commercial, and defense customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Business Development team with proposals and mission concepts.
• Develop high-performance and lightweight satellite systems, mechanisms, and satellite bus configurations.
• Develop concepts and satellite configurations for high-value science and interplanetary missions.
• Define mechanisms for modern satellite systems/buses.
• Own component designs from conceptual design through production, test, and operation.
• Perform hand-calcs and 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.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other engineering discipline.
• Mechanical engineering experience.
• Experience with CAD modeling and drawing.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance.
• U.S. citizenship is required.

Qualifications (Nice to Have)

• Master’s or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other engineering discipline.
• Active Secret or TS/SCI clearance.
• Spacecraft/satellite design experience.
• Rapid conceptual design iteration experience.
• Exceptional mechanical mechanism problem-solving skills.
• Hands-on development and testing experience.
• Experience with analysis and interpretation of test data (Thermal, Vibe).
• Ability to take a product from concept through to production with little supervision.
• Highly self-motivated and able to work autonomously.
• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering.
• Ability to apply GD&T to component designs.
• Experience developing satellite deployment systems.
• General spacecraft systems engineering knowledge, and experience with requirements assessments and interface control document generation.