Senior Systems Engineer I - Spacecraft Design

ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us. SPACE SYSTEMS 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. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions. SENIOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER I – SPACECRAFT DESIGN Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Systems Engineer I – Spacecraft Design is responsible for leading the mechanical formulation of all new satellite systems, including structures, mechanisms, and satellite bus configurations to support the capture of new civil, national security, and commercial business. You will manage the development and maintenance of mass and mechanical technical budgets, mechanical requirements definition, configuration trades, test planning and execution, and overall management of the mechanical systems engineering process, including validation of customer requirements. You will support the Vice President of Business Development and Strategy and the broader Space Systems Business Development organization, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors. WHAT YOU’LL GET TO 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 for our customers • Develop concepts and satellite configurations for high value science and interplanetary missions • Define what mechanisms and deployment systems look like on a modern satellite system/bus • Develop and maintain: • Mass and mechanical technical budgets for vehicle performance • Mechanical system requirements and verification techniques • Structural, mechanism, and packaging analyses across vehicle functions, including hand-calcs and FEA • Test methods and data analysis (structural, thermal, vibe) • Lead and own the mechanical technical development of spacecraft missions 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 development schedules, vendors, and budgets • Develop, in collaboration with team members, mechanical interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and other design documents YOU’LL BRING THESE 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 is required, due to program requirements THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: • 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, vibe) • Understanding of key spacecraft subsystems and their interfaces, including attitude determination and control (ADCS), electrical power systems (EPS), space-ground communications, on-orbit command and data handling (C&DH), and thermal control • Thorough understanding of the 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 to production with little supervision • Highly self-motivated and able to work autonomously • Highly effective and professional verbal and written communication skills with team and internal/external customers • Ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing priorities 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. Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company. Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Pro