Manager, Mechanical Engineering

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and develop a team of mechanical engineers delivering space robotics, precision mechanisms, and high-reliability hardware
• Foster a high-performance engineering culture built around technical ownership and practical design execution
• Support staffing, utilization, mentoring, performance feedback, and career development
• Serve as a hands-on technical contributor developing mechanical concepts and reviewing SolidWorks CAD
• Own mechanical design efforts from concept through CAD, analysis, drawing release, and delivery
• Drive technical decisions on mechanical architecture, packaging, interfaces, and tolerance strategy
• Identify technical, schedule, and manufacturing risks and develop mitigation plans

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or related discipline
• 8+ years of hands-on mechanical engineering experience
• Experience leading development efforts and supporting teams of engineers
• Proven track record delivering high-reliability or spaceflight hardware
• Strong background in mechanical design, precision mechanisms, and robotics
• Experience with the full mechanical development cycle (CAD, analysis, test, production)
• Experience designing space mechanisms such as actuators, gimbals, or gear trains
• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks, GD&T, and tolerance analysis
• Hands-on experience with hardware assembly, integration, and environmental testing

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with NASA, JPL, DoD, or commercial space flight programs
• Experience with robotic manipulators or planetary robotics
• Experience establishing or scaling a mechanical engineering function
• Knowledge of AS9100, ISO 9001, or NASA standards

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.