Senior Systems Engineer I - Spacecraft Design Verified today

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. The Space Systems team has enabled over 1,700 missions including interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing, and national security initiatives, working with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

The Role

Based in Long Beach, CA, you will lead the mechanical formulation of all new satellite systems, including structures, mechanisms, and satellite bus configurations. You will manage mechanical technical budgets, requirements definition, configuration trades, test planning, and overall mechanical systems engineering processes.

What You'll Do

• Lead Rocket Lab's satellite mechanical engineering formulation supporting business development and new opportunity capture
• Develop high-performance and lightweight satellite bus configurations, structures, and mechanisms
• Develop concepts and satellite configurations for science and interplanetary missions
• Define mechanisms and deployment systems for modern satellite systems
• Develop and maintain mass and mechanical technical budgets for vehicle performance
• Develop mechanical system requirements and verification techniques
• Perform structural, mechanism, and packaging analyses including hand-calcs and FEA
• Develop test methods and analyse structural, thermal, and vibration data
• Lead mechanical technical development from conceptual design through production, test, and operation
• Create and maintain product definition through CAD, production drawings, and test and operations procedures
• Assist with program and product management including schedules, vendors, and budgets
• Develop mechanical interface specifications and CONOPS definition with team members

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline
• 5+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry
• Experience supporting satellite and/or spacecraft development programs
• Experience with CAD modeling and drawing
• US citizenship required due to program requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Active security clearance
• Master's or PhD in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or other technical engineering discipline
• Spacecraft/satellite design experience
• Rapid conceptual design iteration experience
• Experience developing satellite deployment systems and mechanisms
• Exceptional mechanical mechanism problem-solving skills
• Ability to perform hand-calcs and FEA to drive design decisions
• Ability to apply GD&T to component designs
• Hands-on development and testing experience
• Experience with analysis and interpretation of test data (thermal, vibration)
• Understanding of spacecraft subsystems including ADCS, EPS, space-ground communications, C&DH, and thermal control
• Thorough understanding of space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics
• Experience with requirement management tools such as JAMA or DOORS
• General spacecraft systems engineering knowledge and experience with requirements assessments and interface control document generation
• Ability to take a product from concept through production with minimal supervision
• Self-motivated and able to work autonomously
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with team and internal/external customers
• Ability to work in dynamic environments with competing priorities

Compensation

• Base Salary: $124,000 - $171,000 USD
• Total Compensation (base and equity): $144,000 - $206,000 USD
• Company stock as part of compensation package
• Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount
• Medical plans including HMO, PPO, and zero-cost HDHP with HSA company 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) retirement plan with company match
• Subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers, discounted gym memberships
• Complimentary snacks and beverages
• 50% employee discount on merchandise

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.

Requirements and Notes

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including ITAR, employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Commerce.