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 humanity’s 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.
SPACE SYSTEMS
Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.
The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help get to space — our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.
SENIOR DESIGN ENGINEER I
Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.
As a Senior Design Engineer I for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to support Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture with three-dimensional computer-aided designs.
WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO
- Produce mechanical designs & drawings for a wide variety of hardware and assemblies.
- Work with the engineering and AI&T teams to develop designs and assembly processes.
- Support program efforts through inception to successful integration and test.
- Serve as an adjunct PDM administrator to support drawing workflows for review and release of drawings and other project documentation.
- Ensure technical documentation control processes are followed and implement revision control on CAD models and drawings.
- Identify and correct design, model, and drawing errors and deficiencies, and recommend corrective actions.
- Work with machine shops and vendors to complete fabrication of designs.
- Work proactively to complete tasks in some modest direction.
- Communicate effectively with project management and team members across disciplines.
- Provide status on assigned tasks and program schedules.
- Ability to support on-site work, as needed.
- Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR DESIGN ENGINEER I:
- 5+ years of experience and a bachelor’s degree, or 9+ years of experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree
- Mechanical design experience associated with assembly and testing of optical systems.
- Experience with SolidWorks, NX, or CREO.
- Proficiency in utilizing common PDM data management tools and administration.
- Familiarity with industry practices/standards used in drafting, design modeling, and revision control.
- Proficiency with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Associate degree in Computer Aided Design, Engineering Technology, IT, or other applicable degree, or equivalent proficiency gained from practical experience.
- Expertise in implementation of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing standards, FAIR inspections and tooling methods, and DFM ownership.
- Hands-on experience with optical systems, telescope systems, laser systems, and/or space systems.
- Experience as an REA (Responsible Engineering Authority) or familiarity with documentation process controls.
- Ability to support travel as required, including working off-site.
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
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.
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 [email protected] 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.
Skills Required
- 5+ years of experience with a bachelor's degree, or 9+ years of experience in lieu of a bachelor's degree
- Mechanical design experience associated with assembly and testing of optical systems
- Experience with SolidWorks, NX, or CREO
- Proficiency with common PDM data management tools and administration
- Familiarity with drafting, design modeling, and revision control standards
- Proficiency in geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
- Associate degree in Computer Aided Design, Engineering Technology, IT, or another applicable field, or equivalent practical experience
- Expertise in GD&T standards, FAIR inspections, tooling methods, and DFM ownership
- Hands-on experience with optical, telescope, laser, or space systems
- Experience as a Responsible Engineering Authority or familiarity with documentation process controls
- Ability to support travel as required, including off-site work
Rocket Lab Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Rocket Lab and has not been reviewed or approved by Rocket Lab.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as robust, with multiple HMO/PPO options and a 100% company‑sponsored HSA plan alongside dental and vision. Company materials and postings also note life and disability insurance and an overall strong medical offering for U.S. roles.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity participation is emphasized through RSUs and a discounted ESPP with a look‑back feature, positioned as a meaningful part of total rewards. Filings and benefits summaries highlight broad accessibility to ownership programs across many roles.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is outlined as a full suite that includes paid vacation, sick time, paid holidays, and paid parental leave. Some locations also feature supportive extras such as a childcare concierge and onsite amenities.
Rocket Lab Insights
What We Do
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, spacecraft components, satellites and other spacecraft and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle and the Photon satellite platform and is developing the Neutron 8-ton payload class launch vehicle. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered 100+ satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft platform has been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a second launch site in Virginia, USA which is expected to become operational in late 2022. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.
