Lead Engineer, Tooling Design and Support

Lead Engineer, Tooling Design and Support

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 to 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, all while we work to develop 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 that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

• Manage a team of Engineers responsible for tooling, GSE, and test for Neutron.
• Coordinate a team focused on production tooling, ground support equipment, and test.
• Collaborate with structures team, other Lead Engineers, facilities, operations, and stakeholders to manage facility‑wide constraints, develop training plans, manage major capital projects, and contribute to design reviews.
• Lead in training, performance management, mentoring, and recruiting of engineers and technicians.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, or another technical degree.
• 5+ years of engineering design experience.
• Experience in a leadership position.

• Experience with large tooling and structures design.
• Working knowledge of Siemens NX/Teamcenter.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as metallic machining, welding, and fabrication.
• Experience with structural analysis, including hand calculations and FEA.
• Ability to read and interpret P&’s and wiring diagrams.
• Demonstrated leadership competencies, especially change management, conflict resolution, and effective team management.

• Vision: close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception, ability to focus.
• Manual dexterity: sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, operate powered machinery including forklift, scissor lift, and telehandler.
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, and moderate levels of noise.
• Physical ability to commute to buildings.

$115,000 – $160,000 USD

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out‑think and out‑work to deliver under pressure and tight deadlines.

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, genetic information, 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 or interview process for a job in the United States may contact Giulia Johnson at  Only messages left for this purpose will be considered.