Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer I - Mission Formulation

What You'll Get To Do:Lead Rocket Lab's satellite mechanical engineering formulation supporting business development and new opportunity captureDevelop high performance and lightweight satellite bus configurations, structures, and mechanisms for our customersDevelop concepts and satellite configurations for high value science and interplanetary missionsDefine what mechanisms and deployment systems look like on a modern satellite system/busDevelop and maintain:Mass and mechanical technical budgets for vehicle performanceMechanical system requirements and verification techniquesStructural, mechanism, and packaging analyses across vehicle functions, including hand-calcs and FEATest methods and data analysis (structural, thermal, vibe)Lead and own the mechanical technical development of spacecraft missions from conceptual design through production, test, and operationCreate and maintain product definition through CAD, production drawings, and test and operations proceduresAssist with program and product management, including development schedules, vendors, and budgetsDevelop, in collaboration with team members, mechanical interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documentsYou'll Bring These Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline5+ years of mechanical engineering experience in the aerospace industryExperience supporting satellite and/or spacecraft development programsExperience with CAD modeling and drawingUS citizenship is required, due to program requirementsThese Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have:Active security clearanceMaster's or PhD in mechanical or aerospace engineering; or other technical engineering disciplineSpacecraft/satellite design experienceRapid conceptual design iteration experienceExperience developing satellite deployment systems and mechanismsExceptional mechanical mechanism problem-solving skillsAbility to perform hand-calcs and FEA to drive design decisionsAbility to apply GD&T to component designsHands-on development and testing experienceExperience with analysis and interpretation of test data (thermal, vibe)Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their interfaces, including attitude determination and control (ADCS), electrical power systems (EPS), space-ground communications, on-orbit command and data handling (C&DH), and thermal controlThorough understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamicsExperience with requirement management tools such as JAMA or DOORSGeneral spacecraft systems engineering knowledge, and experience with requirements assessments and interface control document generationAbility to take a product from concept through to production with little supervisionHighly self-motivated and able to work autonomouslyHighly effective and professional verbal and written communication skills with team and internal/external customersAbility to work in a dynamic environment with competing prioritiesThis position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer I - Mission FormulationBased out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer – Mission Formulation is responsible for leading the mechanical formulation of all new satellite systems, including structures, mechanisms, and satellite bus configurations to support the capture of new civil, national security, and commercial business.

Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer I - Mission FormulationBased out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer – Mission Formulation is responsible for leading the mechanical formulation of all new satellite systems, including structures, mechanisms, and satellite bus configurations to support the capture of new civil, national security, and commercial business. You will manage the development and maintenance of mass and mechanical technical budgets, mechanical requirements definition, configuration trades, test planning and execution, and overall management of the mechanical systems engineering process, including validation of customer requirements. You will support the Vice President of Business Development and Strategy and the broader Space Systems Business Development organization, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.What You'll Get To Do:Lead Rocket Lab's satellite mechanical engineering formulation supporting business development and new opportunity captureDevelop high performance and lightweight satellite bus configurations, structures, and mechanisms for our customersDevelop concepts and satellite configurations for high value science and interplanetary missionsDefine what mechanisms and deployment systems look like on a modern satellite system/busDevelop and maintain:Mass and mechanical technical budgets for vehicle performanceMechanical system requirements and verification techniquesStructural, mechanism, and packaging analyses across vehicle functions, including hand-calcs and FEATest methods and data analysis (structural, thermal, vibe)Lead and own the mechanical technical development of spacecraft missions from conceptual design through production, test, and operationCreate and maintain product definition through CAD, production drawings, and test and operations proceduresAssist with program and product management, including development schedules, vendors, and budgetsDevelop, in collaboration with team members, mechanical interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documentsYou'll Bring These Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline5+ years of mechanical engineering experience in the aerospace industryExperience supporting satellite and/or spacecraft development programsExperience with CAD modeling and drawingUS citizenship is required, due to program requirementsThese Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have:Active security clearanceMaster's or PhD in mechanical or aerospace engineering; or other technical engineering disciplineSpacecraft/satellite design experienceRapid conceptual design iteration experienceExperience developing satellite deployment systems and mechanismsExceptional mechanical mechanism problem-solving skillsAbility to perform hand-calcs and FEA to drive design decisionsAbility to apply GD&T to component designsHands-on development and testing experienceExperience with analysis and interpretation of test data (thermal, vibe)Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their interfaces, including attitude determination and control (ADCS), electrical power systems (EPS), space-ground communications, on-orbit command and data handling (C&DH), and thermal controlThorough understanding of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamicsExperience with requirement management tools such as JAMA or DOORSGeneral spacecraft systems engineering knowledge, and experience with requirements assessments and interface control document generationAbility to take a product from concept through to production with little supervisionHighly self-motivated and able to work autonomouslyHighly effective and professional verbal and written communication skills with team and internal/external customersAbility to work in a dynamic environment with competing prioritiesThis position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including: top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include: Discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts. Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role. Benefit programs are subject to change at the company's discretion.Base Pay Range (CA Only)$115,000 - $158,000 USDWhat To ExpectWe're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other's backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.Important information:FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.