Director, Space Vehicle Design

Responsibilities

• Work directly with the Space Systems Chief Engineer in technical decision-making processes
• Perform functional management duties including 1-on-1s and performance reviews
• Provide technical mentorship and monitor technical integrity of team contributions
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Assembly Integration & Test, Production, and Quality teams
• Iterate through design concepts with a focus on design-for-manufacture and design-for-integration
• Develop and maintain design and analysis standards, documentation templates, and test specifications

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical engineering, or a related technical discipline
• U.S. citizenship required
• 12+ years of engineering experience
• Experience in spacecraft or satellite design
• 3+ years of experience as a team lead or manager
• Expertise in Siemens NX and Teamcenter
• Expertise in CAD, drafting, and GD&T
• Proven success bringing spacecraft hardware from concept through launch
• Experience bringing spacecraft assemblies through environmental testing
• Experience with spacecraft structural dynamics (vibration, acoustic, and modal testing/analysis)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering
• Experience leading large, multi-disciplinary teams of 20+ engineers
• Ability to execute on aggressive deadlines in high-pressure environments

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.