Development Engineer

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets spacecraft and critical subsystems that keep the world connected protected expand humanitys reach to the Moon Mars and beyond. We move fast build real hardware for meaningful missions and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

ABOUT ENGINEERING AT ROCKET LAB:

Engineering is the heart of Rocket Lab. We build world-class rockets and spacecraft and we launch them often.

As a Development Engineer youll design test and refine the systems that get Electron to orbit: tanks interstages fairings separation and landing mechanisms aerodynamic controls fluid systems and thermal protection.

First sketch to flight-ready hardware. Youll iterate in CAD with analysis and manufacturing engineers release the drawings that get parts built then push your hardware to its limits on the test stand until its ready to fly.

Its hands-on fast-paced problem solving where rapid innovation meets the highest safety standards and your hardware launches.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

Youll own hardware. Real load bearing propellant-holding separation-critical hardware:

• Structures- propellant tanks interstages composite fairings
• Mechanisms- stage separation systems
• Fluids - pressurant systems propellant management ignition systems reaction control systems
• Thermal- thermal protection systems HVAC

And youll own it end to end. Youll work shoulder to shoulder with analysis engineers wholl tell you what the math says and manufacturing engineers wholl tell you whats buildable. Then youll find the answer that satisfies both plus gravity plus the schedule.

Some days youre deep in a dynamic dataset other days youre on the production floor refining designs with critical feedback sessions from technicians or in the development lab testing concepts or flight ready designs. This is not just a desk job.

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• A degree in aerospace mechanical mechatronic fluidic engineering or equivalent experience
• 3 years developing and testing high-performance mechanical systems ideally structures and/or mechanisms
• Hands-on fluency with test instrumentation load cells accelerometers strain gauges pressure transducers from setup through to interpreting static and dynamic data
• Strong analytical instincts: you can zoom in on a fastener and out to the full vehicle and make the right call at both scales
• Excellent communication skills and a genuine team-first mindset
• A relentless bias toward done efficiently effectively and to the highest quality standard
• Tenacity a can-do attitude and sound judgement when the clock is running

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience in one of the following domain areas: Composites structures Large scale structural testing Cryogenic systems Pressurised systems Mechanical moving assemblies
• Experience with CAD software such as NX (preferred) Solidworks CATIA
• Experience using Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter (preferred) Windchill or similar
• Experience using National Instruments data acquisition systems
• Programming in C matlab labview or other
• Experience writing/reviewing safety risk assessments

If the above sounds like youapplynow!

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats not an easy task. It takes hard work determination relentless innovation teamwork grit and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each others backs checking our egos at the door and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure work to tight deadlines and our focus is always on how we can deliver rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder) or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

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. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia Japan New Zealand Switzerland the European Union or a country that is part of NATO or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations click here ITAR Regulations.

Required Experience:

IC

Employment Type : Full Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1