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Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer II to lead mechanical engineering formulation for spacecraft design and development. Based in Long Beach, CA, you will own the mechanical architecture of satellite systems, including structures, mechanisms, and bus configurations for civil, national security, and commercial missions.
Key responsibilities include leading satellite mechanical engineering to support business development and new opportunity capture; developing high-performance, lightweight satellite bus configurations and structures; defining modern deployment systems and mechanisms; and developing/maintaining mass and mechanical technical budgets, mechanical system requirements, structural/mechanism/packaging analyses, and test methods. You will lead mechanical technical development from conceptual design through production, test, and operation, create and maintain product definition via CAD and production drawings, and collaborate on mechanical interface specifications and design documents.
You will support the VP of Business Development and Strategy, delivering materials for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors. The role involves hands-on technical work including FEA, hand calculations, thermal and vibration analysis, and test data interpretation.
Required: Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering (or related technical discipline); 5+ years aerospace industry experience; satellite/spacecraft development program support; CAD modeling and drawing proficiency; US citizenship (program requirement).
Preferred: Active security clearance; Master's or PhD; spacecraft/satellite design experience; rapid conceptual design iteration; satellite deployment systems expertise; mechanism problem-solving; GD&T application; hands-on development/testing; thermal/vibration test analysis; understanding of spacecraft subsystems (ADCS, EPS, C&DH, thermal control); orbital mechanics and rigid body dynamics knowledge; requirement management tools (JAMA, DOORS).
