Tool Design Engineer II​/Senior

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 to space.

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

We are currently seeking a Tool Design Engineer based out of Rocket Lab's Space Structures Complex. The role is available as a 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 Numeric Control programmers, welders, machinists, shop personnel, outside suppliers and engineers to ensure flawless and timely execution of projects.
• 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 related discipline.
• 2+ years of tooling design and analysis experience.
• Technical project management or manufacturing design experience.
• Advanced understanding of mechanical design principles.
• Experience with mechanical design of large structures 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 related discipline.
• 5+ years of tooling design and analysis experience.
• Technical project management or manufacturing design experience.
• Advanced understanding of mechanical design principles.
• Experience with mechanical design of large structures for critical operations, including crane lift operations, transport operations, vertical and horizontal structural alignment and advanced tooling for product ionizing.

• Tooling manufacturing experience within 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 engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Knowledge of heat transfer, fluids and structural mechanics.
• Project management experience in a fast‑paced prototype fabrication shop environment.
• Knowledge of manufacturing methods for large precision structures and equipment.
• Detailed knowledge of quality standards for typical fabrication and production products.
• Experience integrating hydraulic and pneumatic controlled systems.
• Detailed knowledge of Siemens NX or similar CAD and PLM packages.
• Proficient with all types of hand tools and basic fabrication equipment.
• Understanding of structural analysis and solid mechanics as it relates to fabrication.
• Experience with power mechanisms (hydraulics, screws, hoists, etc.).
• Flexibility to travel to alternative Rocket Lab production sites and vendors, up to 15%.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and…