Rocket Lab
Mechanical Engineer I/II – Space Payloads
Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.
Role Overview As a Mechanical Engineer I/II based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will support multiple advanced space payload and IRAD programs. In this role you will contribute to technical programs across all phases, and be an integral part of the design, development, build, and test of flight hardware. To be successful you must bring curiosity, collaboration, and keen attention to detail.
Responsibilities
Produce mechanical concepts and designs for a wide variety of hardware and projects
Work with machine shops and vendors to complete fabrication of designs
See designs through to successful integration and test
Use investigative and troubleshooting skills to assess issues and develop resolutions in the lab
Work proactively to complete tasks with guidance as needed
Communicate effectively with direct supervisor, project management, customers, and team members across disciplines
Contribute to program and customer meetings and reviews
Attend technical interchange meetings with team members and other project personnel, and represent the organization in matters pertaining to the development of the project(s)
Provide status on assigned tasks and program schedules
Provide document review and resolve technical engineering and integration issues
Support travel as required, including working off‑site
Qualifications – Mechanical Engineer I
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline
Mechanical design experience
Strong computer skills and experience with CAD modeling and drawing
Ability to write clear and comprehensive technical documentation
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance
Qualifications – Mechanical Engineer II
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline
2+ years of mechanical design experience
Strong computer skills and experience with CAD modeling and drawing
Ability to write clear and comprehensive technical documentation
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance
Additional Qualifications (Nice to Have)
Experience with FEA/FEM
Experience with mechanism design
Experience with materials engineering and processes
Experience with environmental testing
Experience with SolidWorks or NX
Experience in implementation and understanding of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing
Experience with documentation process controls
Experience with mechanical design associated with optical and electro‑optical systems
Hands‑on experience with optical systems, telescope systems, laser systems, and/or space systems
Experience designing optical mounts for use in various demanding applications and environments
Experience performing and working in a dynamic role
Ability to manage time and resources in order to meet assigned deadlines
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to problem solve
Team player who incorporates a team‑based success philosophy and seeks mentorship
Additional Requirements
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing
Must be physically able to commute to buildings
Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise
Important Information For candidates seeking to work in US offices only: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, Rocket Lab employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.
Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants 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 g.biow@rocketlabusa.com. 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.
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Role Overview As a Mechanical Engineer I/II based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will support multiple advanced space payload and IRAD programs. In this role you will contribute to technical programs across all phases, and be an integral part of the design, development, build, and test of flight hardware. To be successful you must bring curiosity, collaboration, and keen attention to detail.
Responsibilities
Produce mechanical concepts and designs for a wide variety of hardware and projects
Work with machine shops and vendors to complete fabrication of designs
See designs through to successful integration and test
Use investigative and troubleshooting skills to assess issues and develop resolutions in the lab
Work proactively to complete tasks with guidance as needed
Communicate effectively with direct supervisor, project management, customers, and team members across disciplines
Contribute to program and customer meetings and reviews
Attend technical interchange meetings with team members and other project personnel, and represent the organization in matters pertaining to the development of the project(s)
Provide status on assigned tasks and program schedules
Provide document review and resolve technical engineering and integration issues
Support travel as required, including working off‑site
Qualifications – Mechanical Engineer I
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline
Mechanical design experience
Strong computer skills and experience with CAD modeling and drawing
Ability to write clear and comprehensive technical documentation
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance
Qualifications – Mechanical Engineer II
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline
2+ years of mechanical design experience
Strong computer skills and experience with CAD modeling and drawing
Ability to write clear and comprehensive technical documentation
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance
Additional Qualifications (Nice to Have)
Experience with FEA/FEM
Experience with mechanism design
Experience with materials engineering and processes
Experience with environmental testing
Experience with SolidWorks or NX
Experience in implementation and understanding of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing
Experience with documentation process controls
Experience with mechanical design associated with optical and electro‑optical systems
Hands‑on experience with optical systems, telescope systems, laser systems, and/or space systems
Experience designing optical mounts for use in various demanding applications and environments
Experience performing and working in a dynamic role
Ability to manage time and resources in order to meet assigned deadlines
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to problem solve
Team player who incorporates a team‑based success philosophy and seeks mentorship
Additional Requirements
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing
Must be physically able to commute to buildings
Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise
Important Information For candidates seeking to work in US offices only: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, Rocket Lab employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.
Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants 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 g.biow@rocketlabusa.com. 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr