Manager, Mechanical Design

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets spacecraft and critical subsystems that keep the world connected protected expand humanitys reach to the Moon Mars and beyond. We move fast build real hardware for meaningful missions and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab were not just launching rockets were building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space like solar panels flight software star trackers optical systems separation systems radios and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft payloads and components for missions to the Moon and Mars working with partners including NASA the Space Development Agency and the U.S. Space Force. Whether its a single high-performance spacecraft constellation or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

MANAGER SPACECRAFT MECHANICAL DESIGN

Based out of Rocket Labs global headquarters in Long Beach CA the Manager Spacecraft Mechanical Design is a hands-on functional managing position that reports to the Space Vehicle Design Director. Your team will have 6 to 10 direct reports and you will need to guide and mentor them while working alongside them on spacecraft development programs. You will also need to communicate your technical strategy and work cross-functionally on projects with almost every other engineering team.

Our ideal candidate is someone with a strong mechanical and structural background who has previously led spacecraft mechanical development programs. They will have expertise in designing analyzing building and testing spacecraft structures and mechanisms. They will have successfully led engineering teams through challenging projects and will be comfortable working in a fast-paced development environment.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Perform functional management duties including 1-on-1s performance reviews and supporting their career development
• Coach and mentor engineers on your team
• Conduct peer reviews of designs and review drawings
• Perform duties as an individual contributor including independent design and development work and organizing teams of engineers to execute larger projects
• Work with cross-discipline teams (i.e. Supply Chain Assembly Integration & Test Production Quality) to ensure smooth interfaces and handoffs within the greater Space Systems organization
• Work closely with mechanical engineers test engineers and production to iterate through design concepts with a focus on design-for-manufacture and design-for-integration
• Develop and maintain design standards documentation templates test specifications and other processes

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other engineering discipline
• 8 years of engineering experience
• Spacecraft/satellite design experience
• 1 years of experience as a team lead manager or technical leader
• US citizenship is required due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Expertise in Siemens NX and Teamcenter
• Expertise in CAD drafting and GD&T
• Multiple successes in bringing spacecraft hardware from concept through launch
• Direct experience bringing spacecraft assemblies through environmental testing
• Demonstrable methodological approach to spacecraft design and mechanical development programs
• High proficiency in multiple areas of physics-based analysis and testing
• Comfort executing to aggressive deadlines within a high-pressure environment
• Effective communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues and engineering professionals
• Experience with fabrication processes including CNC machining and additive manufacturing
• Experience in design and analysis of composites (laminate design joint design materials characterization and selection environmental effects)
• Experience in design and development of any of the following: spacecraft assemblies space mechanisms and deployables spacecraft avionics and propulsion systems
• Experience in spacecraft structural dynamics in one or more of the following areas: environments and loads random vibration sine vibration acoustic and modal testing and/or analysis
• Experience with non-linear material simulation including metal plasticity elastomers and adhesive joints

This 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.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats 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 others 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 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.