Ground Equipment Engineer II​/Senior

Ground Support Equipment Engineer II/Senior

Middle River, MD

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit. We are also developing Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

NEUTRON

Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high‑assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost‑effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program. If you’re interested in joining a high‑performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re‑usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!

We are currently seeking a GSE Engineer based out of Rocket Lab's Space Structures Complex. They will be responsible for design, specification, analysis, procurement, and operation of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and production tooling used across multiple programs and sites. This position can be hired at Level II or Senior level.

• Design, analyze, procure, and implement tooling and GSE ranging in complexity from basic handling fixtures to vehicle level test fixtures.
• Own manufacturing, schedule, and sourcing of critical production tools.
• Interact with NC programmers, welders, machinists, shop personnel, outside suppliers and engineers to ensure flawless and timely project execution.
• Source, retain, and advise new and experienced vendors from a technical perspective.
• Collaborate with vehicle manufacturing engineers and designers on better design for manufacturing.
• Develop the standards, fabrication methods, and sourcing strategies used by the tooling organization.
• Design and lead the fabrication and sourcing of tooling aids, supporting equipment, and specialized hardware to enable rocket production.

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of tooling design and analysis.
• Technical project management or manufacturing design experience.
• Advanced understanding of mechanical design principles.
• Experience with mechanical design of large structures used for critical operations, including crane lift operations, transport operations, vertical and horizontal structural alignment and advanced tooling for product ionizing.

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of tooling design and analysis.
• Technical project management or manufacturing design experience.
• Advanced understanding of mechanical design principles.
• Experience with mechanical design of large structures used for critical operations, including crane lift operations, transport operations, vertical and horizontal structural alignment and advanced tooling for product ionizing.

• Tooling manufacturing experience within the aerospace, automotive, or other large format fabrication industries.
• FEA analysis and hand calculations of structural, mechanical, or fluid components.
• Fundamental understanding of mechanical design principles.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting…