Development Engineer

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.

ABOUT ENGINEERING AT ROCKET LAB:

Engineering is the heart of Rocket Lab. We build world-class rockets and spacecraft and we launch them, often.

As a Development Engineer for Electron Propulsion, you'll design, test and refine the systems that get Electron to orbit. That means engines, turbopumps, valves, injectors and the fluid systems that feed them.

First sketch to flight-ready hardware. You'll define the requirements, iterate in NX with analysis and manufacturing engineers, own the EBOM, and release the drawings that get parts built, then plan and run the test campaign, from component rigs to hot fire, that proves your hardware is ready to fly. And once it's flying, you'll define how it's operated and maintained.

It's hands-on, fast-paced problem solving where rapid innovation meets the highest safety standards and your hardware launches.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

Design and specification ownership

EBOM and workflow

Design for manufacturing

Test planning and execution

Product lifecycle support

Cross-functional reviews

Some days you're deep in a dynamic dataset, other days you're on the production floor refining designs with critical feedback sessions from technicians or in the development lab testing concepts or flight ready designs. Both days are good days. This is not just a desk job.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

An engineering degree and 2+ years' industry experience in a manufacturing environment

High-volume production experience

A project you owned end to end concept through design, build and test, into operation. Not one you contributed to but one you carried

Skills that transfer. You don't need to have built a rocket. You need to have solved hard engineering problems well enough that the domain is the only new thing

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

Master's or PhD

Rocket, aerospace or automotive background

Applied analysis - structural, modal, CFD, thermal, fatigue, DFMEA/PFMEA or DMAIC

Experience with our toolset - NX, Teamcenter, JAMA and Jira. If you've used the equivalents, you'll pick these up fast

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 [email protected]. 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.