Manager, Mechanical EngineeringActive$142K

Rocket Lab
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The opportunity

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine.

What you'll do

  • Lead, manage, and develop a team of mechanical engineers delivering space: robotics, precision mechanisms, electromechanical assemblies, tooling, fixtures, ground support equipment, and related high-reliability hardware.

  • Foster a high-performance engineering culture built around technical: ownership, practical design execution, clear documentation, hands-on hardware delivery, and accountability.

  • Support staffing, utilization, mentoring, performance feedback, career: development, resource planning, budgets, and functional priorities across programs.

  • Serve as a hands-on technical contributor while leading the team, including: developing mechanical concepts, creating and reviewing SolidWorks CAD, performing trade studies, supporting analysis, resolving design issues, and driving hardware through build, test, and delivery.

  • Own and lead mechanical design efforts from concept through CAD, analysis,: drawing release, procurement, assembly, integration, environmental test, qualification, and delivery.

  • Drive technical decisions on mechanical architecture, packaging, interfaces,: tolerance strategy, materials, fabrication approach, assembly flow, inspection planning, verification, and design risk.

What they're looking for

  • Identify technical, schedule, staffing, manufacturing, and test risks;: develop mitigation plans to improve program execution and delivery.
  • A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics,: Robotics, or another related engineering discipline.
  • + years of hands-on mechanical engineering experience, including experience: leading development efforts and supporting teams of engineers.
  • Proven track record delivering high-reliability or spaceflight hardware from: concept through design, build, integration, environmental test, qualification, and delivery.