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 discipline8+ 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 II – 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.