Director, Space Vehicle Design

Director, Space Vehicle Design

Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Director of Space Vehicle Design is a hands-on leadership role that reports to the Space Systems Chief Engineer. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team of mechanical, structural, and thermal engineers; and you will need to guide and mentor them while working alongside them on spacecraft development programs. You will also need to communicate your technical strategy and work cross-functionally on projects with almost every other engineering team.

Our ideal candidate is someone with a strong mechanical, structural, and thermal engineering background who has previously led spacecraft development programs. They will have expertise in designing, analyzing, building, and testing spacecraft structures and mechanisms. They will have successfully led engineering teams through challenging projects and will be comfortable working in a fast-paced development environment.

What You'll Get To Do:

• Work directly with the Space Systems Chief Engineer in technical decision-making processes and guide technical development across the Space Vehicle Design team
• Perform functional management duties with team leads, including 1-on-1s, performance reviews, and supporting their career development
• Provide technical mentorship to team members and monitor technical integrity of all team members' contributions
• Work with cross-discipline teams (i.e. Supply Chain, Assembly Integration & Test, Production, Quality) to ensure smooth interfaces and handoffs within the greater Space Systems organization
• Work closely with engineers, test engineers, and production to iterate through design concepts, with a focus on design-for-manufacture and design-for-integration
• Develop and maintain design and analysis standards, documentation templates, test specifications, and other processes for the SVD team

You'll Bring These

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other technical discipline
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
• 12+ years of engineering experience
• Spacecraft/satellite design experience
• 3+ years of experience as a team lead or manager
• Expertise in Siemens NX and Teamcenter
• Expertise in CAD, drafting, and GD&T
• Multiple successes in bringing spacecraft hardware from concept through launch
• Direct experience bringing spacecraft assemblies through environmental testing
• Demonstrable methodological approach to spacecraft design and development programs
• Experience in design and development spacecraft assemblies, space mechanisms and deployables, spacecraft avionics, and/or propulsion systems
• Experience in spacecraft structural dynamics in one or more of the following areas: environments and loads, random vibration, sine vibration, acoustic, and modal testing and/or analysis

These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have:

• Master's or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other technical discipline
• Comfortable executing on aggressive deadlines within a high-pressure environment
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Previous experience leading a large and multi-disciplinary team (20+ engineers)

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.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including: top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Other perks include:
Discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts. Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role. Benefit programs are subject to change at the company's discretion.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)

$195,000 - $295,000 USD

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…