Mechanical Engineer I

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company that builds rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that help keep the world connected and protected, and that extend humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The team moves fast, builds real hardware for meaningful missions, and works to make the impossible routine.

Space Systems

The Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and the components and subsystems that let them operate in space, such as solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios. The team has supported more than 1,700 missions, from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

Mechanical Engineer I

Based onsite at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, California, the Mechanical Engineer I will develop mechanical and electromechanical hardware for space robotics, precision mechanisms, tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment. The role covers hardware from concept development and detailed design through analysis, drawing release, procurement, assembly, integration, environmental test, qualification, and delivery. The ideal candidate is a practical, hands-on engineer with strong CAD fundamentals, sound engineering judgment, and an interest in building reliable, manufacturable hardware for demanding spaceflight environments.

What You'll Do

• Develop precision mechanisms, robotic systems, electromechanical assemblies, tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment for spaceflight and ground applications.
• Turn program, system, production, and test needs into practical mechanical architectures, interfaces, packaging concepts, and verification approaches.
• Take mechanical hardware through concept development, trade studies, detailed design, analysis, drawing release, procurement, assembly, integration, environmental test, qualification, and delivery.
• Design space mechanisms and motion systems, including actuators, gimbals, gear trains, harmonic drives, bearings, motors, rotary sensors, springs, launch locks, release devices, and kinematic or pseudo-kinematic interfaces.
• Create and maintain product definition in SolidWorks, including 3D CAD models, production drawings, interface details, bills of material, assembly documentation, test procedures, and supporting design analyses.
• Apply GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, material and process selection, first-principles calculations, and finite element analysis to support sound design decisions.
• Design hardware for stiffness, strength, thermal environments, vibration and shock, tolerance control, manufacturability, inspectability, assembly, integration, and test.
• Work closely with electrical, software, systems, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and test teams to evaluate alternatives and deliver practical, build-ready solutions.
• Support hardware assembly, integration, troubleshooting, inspection, environmental testing, qualification testing, fixture development, and review of test data.
• Coordinate with machine shops and suppliers to resolve fabrication questions, evaluate manufacturing approaches, and support timely hardware delivery.
• Document technical decisions, design analyses, test results, risks, and verification evidence for program milestones and design reviews.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing spacecraft mechanisms, robotic manipulators, precision motion systems, actuators, gimbals, deployment systems, or similar high-reliability hardware.
• Experience supporting hardware through environmental testing, including vibration, shock, thermal-vacuum, or life testing.
• Experience with finite element analysis and interpreting structural, vibration, or thermal test data.
• Experience taking a component or assembly from concept through fabrication, assembly, test, and production readiness.
• Experience with NASA, JPL, DoD, commercial space, or other high-reliability aerospace programs.
• Strong mechanical problem-solving skills and a practical, hands-on approach to hardware development.

Benefits and Compensation

You will receive company stock as part of your total compensation, in addition to competitive base pay. Level and base salary are decided case by case based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Benefits include an Employee Stock Purchase Program (15% discount on company stock), HMO, PPO, and HDHP medical plans with HSA 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, and a 401(k) with company match. Perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, snacks and beverages, a 50% discount on the merch store, and other employee discounts.

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.