Development Engineer I

Responsibilities

• Own propulsion design, engineering BOM, manufacturing communication, testing requirements, and lifecycle maintenance
• Build, test, and integrate sensitive hardware alongside technicians and engineers
• Interface with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration and operation of propulsion systems
• Create and review technical documents for accuracy and clarity
• Plan and execute long-term projects and manage blockers
• Identify risks and contribute to mitigation strategies

Requirements

• Engineering degree
• 1+ years of industry experience
• Strong grasp of mechanical engineering fundamentals
• Hands-on experience building or testing mechanical or electromechanical components
• Proven track record of delivering engineering projects from conception to operation
• Strong sense of ownership and rigorous thinking

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with rocket engines, fluid components, or spacecraft propulsion systems
• Expertise in test planning, execution, and data analysis
• Detailed mechanical design using CAD
• Systems engineering activities including requirement gathering and interface control
• Hardware integration experience
• Thermofluid or structural analysis expertise

About the Company

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.