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Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer II 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 customers ranging from NASA to the U.S. Space Force.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting Business Development with proposals and mission concepts for high-value science and interplanetary missions
- Developing satellite systems, mechanisms, and bus configurations optimized for performance and weight
- Owning component designs from conceptual design through production, test, and operational phases
- Performing hand calculations and finite element analysis (FEA) to drive design decisions
- Leading component design, manufacturing, and test reviews
- Creating and maintaining product definitions 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
- 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience
- Proficiency with CAD modeling and technical drawing
- U.S. citizenship (required due to program requirements)
Desired qualifications include active security clearance (Secret or TS), advanced degree in aerospace/mechanical engineering, spacecraft/satellite design experience, rapid conceptual design iteration skills, exceptional mechanism problem-solving abilities, hands-on development and testing experience, thermal and vibration test data analysis, GD&T application expertise, and satellite deployment systems experience.
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 including interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing, and national security initiatives. Compensation includes competitive base pay plus company stock as part of the total package.
