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Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. The Space Systems team has enabled over 1,700 missions for partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force, working on everything from interplanetary exploration to national security initiatives.
As a Mechanical Engineer at the Silver Spring, Maryland facility, you will lead development of innovative and complex electromechanical systems from project conception through production implementation on aggressive timelines. The facility specializes in manufacturing satellite separation mechanisms.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead schedule-aggressive development of innovative space mechanisms from concept through implementation as responsible engineer
- Design mechanisms and structures in CAD and analyze using hand calculations and FEA
- Drive requirements definition, traceability, compliance, verification, and system validation
- Prepare and maintain technical documentation including system design descriptions, CONOPS, and ICDs
- Create and maintain requirements verification matrices and risk management plans
- Support incremental improvements to the development team's engineering approach and best practices
- Generate technical reports and presentations for internal stakeholders and external partners
- Support environmental verification testing by assisting or leading test requirements, procedures, and execution
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure proper functionality across system interfaces
- Own or significantly contribute to development schedules, project milestone reviews, and technical interchange meetings
- Support business development proposals and custom SOWs
- Travel to suppliers, customers, and other Rocket Lab sites (approximately 10%)
- Mentor other engineers (for Senior I level)
The role can be hired at either Mechanical Engineer II (2+ years aerospace experience) or Senior Mechanical Engineer I (5+ years mechanical development, 2+ aerospace) level. Both require a Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field, CAD and FEA proficiency, and experience adapting to changing priorities. Nice-to-haves include an MS in engineering, proficiency in NX CAD and Simcenter FEA, aerospace mechanism design experience, and strong task management and communication skills.
