Rocket Lab
- Robot type
- Marine and Space
- Location
- PasadenaCaliforniaUSA
- Job type
- Hardware
- Posted
- Oct 29, 2026
- Salary
- $151,500–$252,500 a year
Manager, Mechanical Engineering
Job description
At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're 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 1,700 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.
Job requirements
- A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or another related engineering discipline.
- 8+ years of hands-on mechanical engineering experience, including experience leading development efforts and supporting teams of engineers.
- Proven track record delivering high-reliability or spaceflight hardware from concept through design, build, integration, environmental test, qualification, and delivery.
- Experience managing or technically leading engineers, including prioritization, mentoring, technical review, performance feedback, staffing support, and professional development.
- Strong background in mechanical design, precision mechanisms, robotics, electromechanical assemblies, aerospace hardware, tooling, fixtures, ground support equipment, or related systems.
- Experience with the full mechanical development cycle, including requirements definition, concept development, trade studies, CAD, analysis, drawing release, procurement, assembly, test, troubleshooting, and production…
- Experience designing and delivering space mechanisms or similar high-reliability motion systems, including motorized mechanisms, actuators, gimbals, gear trains, harmonic drives, bearings, motors, rotary sensors,…
- Strong experience with SolidWorks as the primary CAD tool, including CAD modeling, production drawings, GD&T, tolerance analysis, mechanical analysis, bills of material, and design documentation.
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