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Rocket Lab Corporation

Mechanical Engineer II

Pasadena, CAFrom $126kmidAdded today

About this role

Rocket Lab seeks a Mechanical Engineer II to design and develop precision mechanical and electromechanical hardware for space robotics, mechanisms, and ground support equipment at their Pasadena facility. You'll guide hardware from concept through spaceflight qualification, working hands-on with CAD, analysis, procurement, assembly, and testing in a collaborative aerospace environment.

What you'll do

  • Design precision mechanisms, robotic systems, electromechanical assemblies, tooling, and ground support equipment for spaceflight applications
  • Manage full hardware lifecycle from concept development and trade studies through detailed design, analysis, drawing release, procurement, assembly, integration, and qualification testing
  • Develop space mechanisms including actuators, gimbals, gear trains, harmonic drives, bearings, and release devices using first-principles calculations and FEA
  • Create and maintain SolidWorks CAD models, production drawings, bills of material, assembly documentation, and design analyses
  • Apply GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and material/process selection to deliver manufacturable, reliable hardware for demanding environments
  • Collaborate with electrical, software, systems, manufacturing, quality, and test teams to resolve design challenges and support environmental testing and qualification

What they're looking for

  • SolidWorks CAD and 3D modeling
  • Mechanical design and analysis (FEA, tolerance stack-up, GD&T)
  • Space mechanism design (actuators, gimbals, gear systems, bearings)
  • Design for manufacturability and assembly
  • Technical documentation and drawing release
  • Environmental testing and hardware qualification
  • First-principles engineering calculations
  • Cross-functional collaboration and problem-solving
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Rocket Lab Corporation

Rocket Lab builds spacecraft and satellites that it launches on its own rockets, developing the avionics, flight software, and ground systems needed to operate these vehicles in orbit. The company is hiring software engineers, test automation specialists, and spacecraft operations engineers to develop embedded flight software, design testing systems, and manage satellite fleet health across commercial and government missions.

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Likely interview questions

  • Tell us about a space mechanism or precision assembly you designed—what were the key technical challenges and how did you verify performance?
  • How have you applied GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis to control cost while meeting functional requirements?
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