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Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to lead mechanical formulation of new satellite systems at their Long Beach headquarters. This role owns the mechanical engineering strategy for spacecraft design, supporting business development and new opportunity capture across civil, national security, and commercial missions.
You will lead the development of high-performance, lightweight satellite bus configurations, structures, and mechanisms for customers ranging from science missions to interplanetary exploration. Key responsibilities include managing mass and mechanical technical budgets, defining mechanical requirements, conducting configuration trades, planning and executing tests, and validating customer requirements. You'll develop concepts for advanced satellite systems, define modern deployment mechanisms, and perform structural, thermal, and vibration analyses using both hand calculations and FEA.
The role spans the full lifecycle: from conceptual design through production, test, and operations. You'll create and maintain product definitions via CAD, production drawings, and test procedures. You'll also collaborate on mechanical interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and design documentation, while assisting with program management including schedules, vendor relationships, and budgets.
Required qualifications: Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering (or related technical discipline), 5+ years of aerospace engineering experience, satellite/spacecraft development program support, CAD modeling expertise, and US citizenship. Preferred qualifications include active security clearance, advanced degree, spacecraft design experience, rapid conceptual iteration, satellite deployment systems expertise, FEA and GD&T proficiency, hands-on testing experience, and familiarity with spacecraft subsystems (ADCS, EPS, C&DH, thermal control) and orbital mechanics.
