Senior Vehicle Design Engineer

Overview

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 space.

The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rockethas become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment.

Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Position Purpose

The Structural & Mechanical Systems team supports the hardware design and development of spacecraft structures, Photon platforms and related payload and mission objectives.

The Structural & Mechanical Systems team works closely with other engineering teams and Production to bring new concepts to life.

This includes the development of spacecraft systems, related data structures, and documentation to support the associated manufacturing and performance improvements.

As a Senior Vehicle Design Engineer at Rocket Lab, you will be strongly influencing the design of numerous spacecraft projects.

You will have unparalleled opportunities for end-to-end hardware development and seeing your designs reach space.

Success in this position will be measured by the value of the knowledge and experience in analysis that you bring to this role, your ability to lead analysis projects without supervision, successful collaboration with other teams across Rocket Lab, and the skillful prioritization of competing engineering development projects across the group.

Responsibilities

Performing design R&D and design updates to the range of spacecraft platforms, and space systems hardware to improve performance, reduce risk, or reduce manufacturing cost.

Helping with design documentation, FMEA, P&IDs, ICDs etc.

Lead design projects without supervision but with good stakeholder buy-in and collaboration across the company.

Designing prototype parts.

Designing tooling as required.

Developing mission-specific layouts for customer payloads.

Addressing quality issues that arise from the production floor.

Mentor and technically assist junior engineers.

Successful candidates in this role will thrive in ambiguity, and are excited to work in a small, high performing team focused on continued learning and growth.

Qualifications

5+ years working experience in Engineering.

Significant experience modelling with 3D CAD software, ideally NX CAD, and associated PLM solution (Teamcenter).

Creative, analytical, good at problem solving.

Ability to work on own initiative with ability to plan own daily workflow to meet higher level tasks.

Clear communication skills, able to work under pressure.

Expertise with pressurised mechanical systems.

Experienced in mechanical moving assemblies.

Experienced in composite structures.

Experienced in cryogenic systems including oxygen service systems.

What to Expect

We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's 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 other's 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.

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, you can click here ITAR Regulations.

Rocket Lab is required to comply with US export compliance laws & regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

These regulations restrict whom Rocket Lab can share materials with, and whom can receive those materials.

This includes hardware, technical data, and defense services.

Access to these materials is required for employment at Rocket Lab; being unable to meet these export compliance requirements means that you will be ineligible for employment at Rocket Lab.

Do you consent to Rocket Lab requesting information regarding citizenships, passports and visas?

What citizenships do you currently hold?

What citizenships have you previously held?

What is your place of birth?

What permanent residencies do you currently hold?

Do you have any previous or pending criminal convictions or charges (including drink or drug-related driving convictions) but not including any concealed under the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act?

What are your salary expectations?

What is your availability / notice period?

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