Senior Design Engineer I

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.

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.

The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have 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. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help get to space — our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Senior Design Engineer I for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to support Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture with three-dimensional computer-aided designs.

• →Produce mechanical designs & drawings for a wide variety of hardware and assemblies.
• →Work with the engineering and AI&T teams to develop designs and assembly processes.
• →Support program efforts through inception to successful integration and test.
• →Serve as an adjunct PDM administrator to support drawing workflows for review and release of drawings and other project documentation.
• →Ensure technical documentation control processes are followed and implement revision control on CAD models and drawings.
• →Identify and correct design, model, and drawing errors and deficiencies, and recommend corrective actions.
• →Work with machine shops and vendors to complete fabrication of designs.
• →Work proactively to complete tasks in some modest direction.
• →Communicate effectively with project management and team members across disciplines.
• →Provide status on assigned tasks and program schedules.
• →Ability to support on-site work, as needed.
• →Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed.
• →Perform other duties as assigned.

• 5+ years of experience and a bachelor’s degree, or 9+ years of experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree
• Mechanical design experience associated with assembly and testing of optical systems.
• Experience with SolidWorks, NX, or CREO.
• Proficiency in utilizing common PDM data management tools and administration.
• Familiarity with industry practices/standards used in drafting, design modeling, and revision control.
• Proficiency with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

• Associate degree in Computer Aided Design, Engineering Technology, IT, or other applicable degree, or equivalent proficiency gained from practical experience.
• Expertise in implementation of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing standards, FAIR inspections and tooling methods, and DFM ownership.
• Hands-on experience with optical systems, telescope systems, laser systems, and/or space systems.
• Experience as an REA (Responsible Engineering Authority) or familiarity with documentation process controls.
• Ability to support travel as required, including working off-site.

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.