Rocket Lab USA
Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer I
East Long Beach, Los Angeles County · full-time
Stay score
odds of building a lasting career here
Sponsors, but it's cap-subject — you still face the weighted lottery (~30% per draw at Level II). Good if you win; have a cap-exempt backup on your list.
Lottery odds assume a STEM candidate.
Personalize to your clock →H-1B wage level
the lottery is wage-weighted — each level is one more entry
Even the top of this range is below the Level II threshold of $103,168, so this role stays at one lottery entry however you negotiate. That is a property of the posted band, not of you.
DOL prevailing wage, 2026-27 wage year · Mechanical Engineers (17-2141) · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA. Wage level is derived by USCIS from the offered wage, occupation and worksite; the occupation shown is inferred from the job title.
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About the role
- Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives.
- Whether it's a 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.
- Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Responsibilities
- Support the Business Development team with proposals and mission concepts
- Develop concepts and satellite configurations for high value science and interplanetary missions
- Own component designs from conceptual design through production, test, and operation
- Perform hand-calcs and FEA to drive design decisions
- Lead key component design, manufacturing, and test reviews
- Create and maintain product definition through CAD, production drawings, and test and operations procedures
- Manage development schedules, vendors, budgets, and other project deliverables
- 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.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering
- Mechanical engineering experience
- Experience with CAD modeling and drawing
- U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
Nice to have
- Master's or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering
- or other engineering discipline
- Active Secret or TS/SCI clearance
- Exceptional mechanical mechanism problem-solving skills
- Hands-on development and testing experience
- Experience with analysis and interpretation of test data (Thermal, Vibe)
- Ability to take a product from concept through to production with little supervision
- Highly self-motivated and able to work autonomously
Compensation
- $85,000 - $100,000 USD
- 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.
Company info
- Develop high performance and lightweight satellite systems, mechanisms, and satellite bus configurations for our customers
Equal opportunity
- 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.
Visa & Work Authorization
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance
This listing is sourced directly from Rocket Lab USA's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.