Vehicle Design Engineer - Electron

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering launch services, spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, and satellite components. The rockets and satellites we build enable scientific exploration, Earth observation, national security, and new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rocket is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket, having delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit. We are developing Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO

• Assist in executing design changes across the Electron vehicle and its systems, focusing on performance optimization, manufacturing efficiency, and risk mitigation.
• Help improve internal design processes to reduce engineering cycle times and enable efficient, high‑quality production outcomes.
• Work closely with the production floor to identify and resolve quality issues, applying engineering solutions to ensure mission success.
• Develop configurations tailored to specific customer payloads, ensuring the Electron rocket is ready for any mission profile.
• Help define design requirements and translate them into manufacturable hardware that meets performance goals.
• Assist in designing, testing, and refining prototype components to support new systems and mission‑specific configurations.
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of engineering documentation, including FMEA, P&IDs, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and technical reports to ensure safe and reliable operations.

YOU’LL THRIVE HERE IF YOU

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

REQUIRED EEO STATEMENTS

Accelerate your career at Rocket Lab. Apply now to become a Vehicle Design Engineer and help push the boundaries of space exploration.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application / interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply / interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered.

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