Sr. Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer - TS/SCI Clearance
Rocket Lab USA - Long Beach, CA
posted 3 months ago
About the position
Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems, known for building and launching rockets and satellites that support vital space missions. The Sr. Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer role is based in Long Beach, California, and is pivotal in developing high-performance and lightweight satellite deployment systems, mechanisms, and satellite bus configurations for various customers. This position supports the Space Systems organization, providing essential deliverables for internal leadership, the board of directors, and investors. The engineer will collaborate with the Business Development team on proposals and mission concepts, ensuring that the designs meet the high standards required for scientific and interplanetary missions. In this role, the engineer will be responsible for defining the mechanisms of modern satellite systems and buses, owning component designs from conceptualization through production, testing, and operation. The engineer will perform hand calculations and finite element analysis (FEA) to inform design decisions, lead key component design, manufacturing, and test reviews, and create and maintain product definitions through CAD, production drawings, and operational procedures. Additionally, the engineer will manage development schedules, vendors, budgets, and other project deliverables, ensuring that all aspects of the project are executed efficiently and effectively. The position requires a strong background in mechanical engineering, with a focus on spacecraft and satellite systems. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of developing innovative solutions and will be expected to work autonomously while being highly self-motivated. This role is critical to the success of Rocket Lab's mission to unlock the potential of space and improve life on Earth, and it offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology in a fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities
- Support the Business Development team with proposals and mission concepts
- Develop high performance and lightweight satellite systems, mechanisms, and satellite bus configurations for customers
- Develop concepts and satellite configurations for high value science and interplanetary missions
- Define what mechanisms look like on a modern satellite system/bus
- Own component designs from conceptual design through production, test, and operation
- Perform hand-calcs and FEA to drive design decisions
- Lead key component design, manufacturing, and test reviews
- Create and maintain product definition through CAD, production drawings, and test and operations procedures
- Manage development schedules, vendors, budgets, and other project deliverables
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other engineering discipline
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience
- Experience with CAD modeling and drawing
Nice-to-haves
- Master's or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other engineering discipline
- Spacecraft/satellite design experience
- Rapid conceptual design iteration experience
- Exceptional mechanical mechanism problem-solving skills
- Hands-on development and testing experience
- Experience with analysis and interpretation of test data (Thermal, Vibe)
- Ability to take a product from concept through to production with little supervision
- Highly self-motivated and able to work autonomously
- Ability to apply GD&T to component designs
- Experience developing satellite deployment systems
- General spacecraft systems engineering knowledge, and experience with requirements assessments and interface control document generation
Benefits
- 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
- Access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Discounted employee stock purchase program
- Subsidized EV charging stations
- Onsite gym, food and drinks
- Childcare concierge
- Other discounts
