Senior Optomechanical Engineer

Responsibilities

• Lead opto-mechanical and precision mechanical design projects, including scope, requirements, and technical risks
• Own opto-mechanical hardware through the full lifecycle from design to flight delivery
• Partner with electrical, software, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to develop build-ready solutions
• Design precision mechanisms such as pointing assemblies, focus mechanisms, and motorized stages
• Develop tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment for assembly and testing
• Perform structural, thermal, and structural-thermal-optical (STOP) performance analyses
• Create and maintain product definitions using SolidWorks, including 3D models and production drawings
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to design standards and best practices

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, optical, mechatronics, or robotics engineering
• 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience (8+ years for Level II)
• Experience delivering spaceflight hardware from concept through flight delivery
• Proficiency with SolidWorks CAD modeling, GD&T, and tolerance analysis
• Experience with structural-thermal-optical (STOP) or thermal-elastic analysis
• Hands-on experience with hardware integration, troubleshooting, and environmental qualification

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a relevant engineering discipline
• Experience with rapid conceptual design and prototype iteration
• Ability to resolve ambiguous design, packaging, and alignment challenges
• Experience overseeing environmental testing and test data analysis

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.