Senior Vehicle Design Engineer

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

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, 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. 

VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT – ELECTRON 

Shape the future of space exploration and see your designs soar into orbit. Collaborate with a team of experts in mechanical design, development, testing, analysis, configuration control, and project engineering. Dive deep into the intricacies of spacecraft design, ensuring every component meets the highest standards of performance and reliability.  

SENIOR VEHICLE DESIGN ENGINEER – ELECTRON 

As a Senior Vehicle Design Engineer, you'll play a critical role in the end-to-end mechanical design of the Electron rocket, the world's first mass-produced orbital launch vehicle. From concept to spaceflight, your designs won't just sit on a screen—they'll take flight.

In this design-forward role, you'll lead the development of primary and secondary structures, mechanisms, and fluid systems on Electron. You'll take ownership of mission-critical hardware, mentor up-and-coming engineers, and improve the way we design—from our tools to our thinking.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO: 

• Innovate and improve spaceflight hardware. Execute design changes across the Electron vehicle and associated systems with a focus on performance optimisation, manufacturing efficiency, and risk reduction.
• Enhance design workflows. Continuously improve internal design processes to reduce engineering cycle times and support right-first-time production outcomes.
• Solve real-world problems. Actively engage with the production floor to troubleshoot quality issues, implementing meaningful engineering solutions to ensure 100% mission success.
• Support the mission. Develop mission-specific configurations to support a wide variety of customer payloads—ensuring Electron is ready for any launch profile.
• Shape product direction. Define detailed design requirements, then turn those requirements into high-functioning, manufacturable hardware.
• Prototype and iterate. Rapidly design, test, and refine prototype components and tooling to support new systems, payload configurations, and mission-specific hardware.
• Document with precision. Create and maintain engineering documentation including FMEA, P&IDs, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and technical reports that support safe and reliable launch operations.

YOU'LL THRIVE HERE IF YOU:

• Love designing for real-world launch hardware—and seeing your work head to orbit.
• Take pride in leading with mentorship—developing people while developing solutions.
• Understand that great engineering is collaborative—you'll be working shoulder-to-shoulder with teams across the company.
• See systems, not just parts—and find better ways to build, iterate, and integrate.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS& SKILLS: 

• Strong CAD and PLM experience (NX CAD & Teamcenter preferred).
• 5+ years engineering experience, ideally with launch vehicles, high-performance systems, or complex mechanical assemblies.
• A bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Mechatronics Engineering.
• Experience in one or more of: cryogenics, composites, mechanical assemblies, or pressurized systems (a plus).
• Proven ability to lead projects, mentor engineers, and deliver under pressure.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and investigate details to assess the impact of subsystems

Apply now to become a Senior Vehicle Design Engineer at Rocket Lab and help us push the boundaries of what's possible in space.

Meet 50% of the requirements? We still want to hear from you—Rocket Lab is hiring across multiple levels.

WHAT TO EXPECT 

We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other's backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.   

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

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, genetics, 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/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant.  These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations. 

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.  For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.