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Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer to join its Space Systems team in Long Beach, CA. This role focuses on developing high-performance, lightweight satellite deployment systems, mechanisms, and satellite bus configurations for diverse customers including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting Business Development with proposals and mission concepts for high-value science and interplanetary missions
- Developing and defining satellite mechanisms and bus configurations
- Owning component designs from conceptual design through production, test, and operation
- Performing hand calculations and finite element analysis (FEA) to drive design decisions
- Leading component design, manufacturing, and test reviews
- Creating and maintaining product definition through CAD, production drawings, and test/operations procedures
- Managing development schedules, vendors, budgets, and project deliverables
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or related engineering discipline
- 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience
- Proficiency with CAD modeling and drawing
- U.S. citizenship (required due to program requirements)
Desirable qualifications include active Secret or TS clearance, Master's/PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering, spacecraft/satellite design experience, rapid conceptual design iteration, exceptional mechanism problem-solving, hands-on development and testing experience, thermal and vibration test data analysis, GD&T application, satellite deployment systems experience, and spacecraft systems engineering knowledge.
Rocket Lab builds rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems for global connectivity, protection, and space exploration. The Space Systems team has enabled over 1,700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration to national security initiatives. This is an opportunity to contribute to ambitious space missions with a fast-growing, hardware-focused company.
