Systems Engineer - Mechanical

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.

While other companies talk about it, we do it!

NEUTRON

Rocket Lab’s Neutron team is responsible for bringing our new large rocket Neutron and its launch and test sites to life. From designing and testing Neutron’s structures and components, to firing up its new Archimedes engines, to setting up Neutron’s launch pads and test sites across the United States, joining the Neutron team is your opportunity to help launch a new large rocket for the very first time.

SYSTEMS ENGINEER – MECHANICAL

As a Systems Engineer, you'll sit at the intersection of Neutron's mechanical and fluid systems, working across Thermofluids, Propulsion, GNC, and Structures to architect the launch vehicle to meet program objectives. You will drive topics such design topics and risks to resolution. Defining operating processes where they don’t exist today.

You will deliver cross functional support to teams to align Neutron’s mechanical and fluid system designs with the program’s strategy, requirements, operations and technical maturity phases.

Systems Engineers are strong communicators, who combine expertise in technical assessment to optimise system performance, and possess a depth of knowledge to be able to define process excellence for the project.

Successful candidates will thrive in ambiguity, and are excited to work in a small, high performing team focused on continued learning and growth. This position is ideal for a multidisciplinary engineer keen to hit the ground running in support of a complex project from critical design through to integration and launch.

This role is based in Auckland, New Zealand.

Join a driven team that’s tackling challenging projects, delivering on exciting missions, and making an impact on the future of space!

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Drive cross-functional teams to ensure mechanical and fluid systems integrate seamlessly to deliver the vehicle's objectives, proactively identifying system-level impacts to allow seamless integration.
• Work closely with design teams to verify requirements through analysis and test, ensuring that verification artefacts are documented and linked to requirements.
• Take ownership of emergent systems that don't have a natural home; architecting the solution and driving it through design, verification, and implementation.
• Define and improve interface management processes, closing the gap between early project tools and production suitable systems.
• Contribute to technical program decisions by identifying gaps in systems architecture, requirements, or process and building the fix, not just flagging the problem.
• Communicate internally and externally on the product status, often with incomplete information.
• Define and uphold high-quality systems engineering processes.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (or equivalent experience)
• 1-5 year’s industry experience applied to a relevant technical field (i.e. Structures, Fluid Systems, Mechanisms, Propulsion)
• Demonstrated experience in delivering complex multidisciplinary systems consisting of fluid systems, structures, mechanisms and/or propulsion with a broader awareness of other launch vehicle disciplines such as avionics hardware, avionics software, GNC, and/or Radio Communications.
• Proven track record of collaborating with cross functional stakeholders to guide projects from concept to completion.
• Proven communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues and engineering professionals
• The ability to work to tight deadlines within a high-pressure environment
• Strong aptitude to learn new material to solve difficult, ambiguous challenges.
• Working knowledge of Engineering design, CAD, Engineering drawings, manufacturing processes

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with fault-tolerance strategies and architectures for safety and mission critical systems
• Strong understanding of quality management such as standards, regulations and applicable policies and procedures such as information, change and configuration management
• Experience with AIAA S-080, SMC-S-016 and other aerospace standards.
• Experience in Systems Engineering tools e.g. Rhapsody, DOORS, Jama
• Familiarity with risk management processes

If the above sounds like you apply now!

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 g.biow@rocketlabusa.com. This 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.