Rocket Lab is a vertically integrated provider of small launch services, satellites, and spacecraft components. Our mission is to open access to space to improve life on Earth. Our team is over 1,500 people strong and we’re adding to it every week. Collaboration is at our core – every idea is heard, and everyone makes a difference. Teams are nimble, decisions are made quickly, and we are action oriented.

Life at Rocket Lab

SPACE SYSTEMS

This is a rare opportunity to play a key role in Rocket Lab’s evolution into an end-to-end space company that delivers launch, spacecraft, and on-orbit operations. The Space Systems Division is shaping Rocket Lab’s future with Photon, our brand of high-performance satellites, enabling innovative missions in low Earth orbit and beyond including missions for NASA to LEO, the Moon, and Mars and commercial customers, including leading the design and manufacture of 17 high-power telecommunication spacecraft buses for Globalstar.

Rocket Lab is also growing our spacecraft components business, anchored on the acquisition of Sinclair Interplanetary manufacturing reaction wheels and star trackers in Toronto, SolAero Technologies manufacturing solar power and primary structure solutions in Albuquerque, Planetary Systems Corporation manufacturing launch separation systems in Silver Spring, and Advanced Solutions, Inc., provider of flight and ground software as a service in Denver. Our components business is key to vertically integrating our spacecraft solutions and enabling constellations for customers.

SENIOR R&D ENGINEER

Based out of Rocket Lab's site in Albuquerque, the Senior R&D Engineer will be a part of an integrated products R&D group that is responsible for the development of new solar panel products and new process development. You will support the R&D group by solving multi-disciplinary design problems related to new missions, new materials, and new product development.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

Design, build, and test functional space hardware that powers a wide range of missions and impacts nearly every person on the planet
Make hands-on contributions to real hardware that operates in space
Develop space solar power technology that is among the highest efficiency and lightest ever made
Advance the state of the art in space solar technology
Participate in and lead hardware design projects from concept to production
Develop, qualify and implement new assembly processes including new equipment and advanced automation
Work with and lead multidisciplinary project teams
Participate in strategic product road-mapping
Become a subject matter expert in various areas of expertise
Use organizational skills for leading project teams, managing multiple concurrent projects, and planning, prioritizing and documenting work
Develop a strong theoretical understanding of the science and engineering principles that underpin space solar panels and assembly equipment, and use that knowledge to train others, recommend improvements, and conduct meaningful experiments
Solve multi-disciplinary electrical, thermal, mechanical, and materials problems for space solar panel products that have to survive in multi-effects environments
Use failure analysis methods such as five why, fishbone diagrams, root cause analysis, and FMEA to identify potential causes of failures and develop solutions
Document and communicate work product using written and spoken reports and presentations

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS – (Note: you must meet every qualification in order to be considered):

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering
5+ years of experience in mechanical design
Experience in new product or new hardware development

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

Master's or PhD in a relevant subject matter
Experience with space solar panels and systems
Experience designing mechanical systems for use in the space environment
Proficiency using SolidWorks for design concepting and basic analysis
Proficiency in geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
Experience in the management of technical projects
Strong communication skills, with ability to work with multidisciplinary project teams and interact with people of different skillsets, job functions, and abilities
Strong organizational skills with the ability to lead projects, manage multiple concurrent projects, and plan, prioritize, and document work
Experience and acumen in solving multi-disciplinary electrical, thermal, mechanical, and materials problems for space solar panel products that must survive in multi-effects environments

BENEFITS AND LOCATION:

Relocation eligible to local area – Albuquerque, NM – depending on position
9/80 schedule
Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)
401k match up to 3%
10 paid company holidays and 16 days of PTO
Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)

SolAero by Rocket Lab is based in Albuquerque (ABQ), in the heart of New Mexico. ABQ offers both affordability and easy access to the outdoors and rich cultural centers such as museums and art galleries. With almost 300 days of sunshine a year, but also proximity to secluded ski slopes, there’s something for everyone who loves the outdoors. You’ll also find plenty of opportunities to try authentic New Mexican cuisine – a delicious blend of traditional Native American foods mixed with roasted green chiles. Fun fact: ABQ is the hot air ballooning capital of the world! It’s for all these reasons and more that New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment.

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 Biow at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.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.

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