Mechanical Engineer II, Neutron Avionics Verified today

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. We move fast and build real hardware for meaningful missions.

The Neutron Programme

Rocket Lab's Neutron team is bringing a new large rocket to life, from component design and testing through launch pad setup and test sites across the United States. You'll help launch Neutron for the very first time.

The Role

Based in Long Beach, CA, you'll be responsible for the development and implementation of mechanical designs and packaging solutions for the electronics that power Neutron. From cradle to grave, you will create the mechanical components that enable avionics across the vehicle, including the Archimedes engine, GNC sensing and computing, and the explosive flight safety system, to reliably operate in extreme launch vehicle environments across many re-flights.

Working with fellow avionics designers, you will develop innovative solutions to integrate avionics, optimizing for cost, mass, and production rate. You'll be part of a small, agile, US-based avionics team that works hands-on with physical flight hardware on the production floor and at the launch site.

What You'll Do

• Develop mechanical components and electro-mechanical systems, including mechanical design, prototyping, production, test, and integration. Execute multiple design iterations efficiently while leveraging technical experience to clear short-term issues and long-term roadblocks. Own the hardware delivery timeline through inception, design, assembly, and test.
• Support and execute hardware testing, including system-level performance validation, Archimedes hotfires, integrated vehicle stack tests, and explosive/destructive qualification.
• Analyze electro-mechanical and structural assemblies via classical and computer methods. Assess and optimize for downstream performance of physical events and usage across the rocket's lifetime.
• Contribute to future, reusable vehicle architectures. Optimize designs, implementation, and operation to achieve hands-off reusability between flights.
• Travel to vendors and test sites around the United States, approximately 10%. Sporadic travel to New Zealand sites.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent.
• 2+ years of professional experience with mechanical or electro-mechanical design and analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience with NX, Ansys, or similar tools.
• Experience designing for stressing thermal and dynamic environments.
• Strong fundamentals in mechanical design, 3D modeling, finite element analysis (FEA), and manufacturing drawing creation (GD&T).
• Professional experience working with avionics designers and exposure to electronics integration and packaging.
• Experience with design, qualification, and production best practices for avionics systems and electro-mechanical components for launch vehicles.
• Experience with Python or similar software languages and integration.
• Experience in an agile development environment.
• Experience with vibration and shock testing avionics, sensors, or similar components.
• Experience with HASS/HALT and HITL testing electronics and designing test support hardware.
• Experience with control systems for electro-mechanical components and systems.

Compensation

Base salary: $100,800 to $138,600 USD. Total compensation including equity: $110,875 to $156,225 USD. Equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits include company stock as part of total compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, zero-cost HDHP with HSA contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, 401(k) with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and other employee discounts.

Working Conditions

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.

Eligibility Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), candidates must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum. Alternatively, candidates must be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce.

For candidates seeking to work in New Zealand offices: Background checks will be undertaken prior to employment offers. You must be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by ITAR. You may be ineligible if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO member country, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.