Manager, Mechanical Engineering in Pasadena

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.

At Rocket Lab,we'renot just launching rockets —we'rebuilding the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to security anddefenseinitiatives. The team has 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. Whetherit'sa single high‑performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

Based on site at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA, the Manager, Mechanical Engineering will lead and support the mechanical engineering function while also contributing technically to programs. This role is intended for a hands‑on mechanical engineering leader who can manage people, guide technical execution, support staffing and utilization, and still engage deeply in design, analysis, build, test, and delivery of flight and ground hardware.

The ideal candidate has strong technical depth in mechanical design, precision mechanisms, robotics, spaceflight hardware, CAD, GD&T, analysis, manufacturing, assembly, integration, and environmental test, along with the leadership skills required to build a strong engineering culture and develop a high‑performing team. You will support utilization, career growth, performance, and well‑being of mechanical engineers while helping programs deliver fully validated mechanical and electromechanical systems that meet technical, cost, schedule, and quality targets.

• Lead, manage, and develop a team of mechanical engineers delivering space robotics, precision mechanisms, electromechanical assemblies, tooling, fixtures, ground support equipment, and related high‑reliability hardware.
• Foster a high‑performance engineering culture built around technical ownership, practical design execution, clear documentation, hands‑on hardware delivery, and accountability.
• Support staffing, utilization, mentoring, performance feedback, career development, resource planning, budgets, and functional priorities across programs.
• Serve as a hands‑on technical contributor while leading the team, including developing mechanical concepts, creating and reviewing Solid Works CAD, performing trade studies, supporting analysis, resolving design issues, and driving hardware through build, test, and delivery.
• Own and lead mechanical design efforts from concept through CAD, analysis, drawing release, procurement, assembly, integration, environmental test, qualification, and delivery.
• Drive technical decisions on mechanical architecture, packaging, interfaces, tolerance strategy, materials, fabrication approach, assembly flow, inspection planning, verification, and design risk.
• Identify technical, schedule, staffing, manufacturing, and test risks; develop mitigation plans to improve program execution and delivery.

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace…