Senior Development Engineer

rocketlab

Auckland, NZ · Auckland · New Zealand

Posted May 4, 2026

Other
2242 Neutron - Mechanical

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Job description

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.

NEUTRON

Rocket Lab is bringing our innovative medium-lift launch vehicle, Neutron, to life. Neutron Development Engineers deliver across a broad set of vehicle domains including structural (i.e. Propellant tanks, interstage, fairings), mechanical (i.e. stage separation, landing, aerodynamic control), fluid (i.e. pressurant, propellant management, ignition, HVAC), and thermal (i.e. thermal protection) systems.

As a Senior Development Engineer, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the architecture of our vehicle. This role will work directly with analysis and manufacturing engineers to produce concepts, detailed designs, and drawing packages for metallic and composites components & assemblies and to perform development & qualification tests, refine designs, and ensure Neutron’s materials, components, and assemblies meet their functional and performance requirements.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

Produce & rapidly iterate conceptual designs in CAD for structures and mechanisms across the Neutron launch vehicle.
Proactively identify and solve technical challenges to allow projects to proceed safely and at pace;
Prepare drawing packages & technical reports, ensuring manufacturability is considered throughout the design process
Produce design documentation, FMEA, P&IDs, ICDs etc.
Support with the definition of design requirements
Support the testing structures and mechanisms, including composites and metallic components
Develop test plans, monitor test activities, and post-process and document test data to verify functional and performance requirements;
Produce test jigs / fixtures to aid testing of components & assemblies;

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

Aerospace, mechanical or mechatronic engineering degree or equivalent qualification
5+ years designing high performance mechanical systems
Experience with CAD software such as NX (preferred), Fibersim (preferred), Solidworks, CATIA
The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well within a team environment
Sound analytical skills and the ability to see the big picture and making connections and appropriate decisions
Have tenacity, a can-do attitude, and the ability to think quickly and make accurate judgements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

Experience in one of the following domain areas:

Metallic or composite structures
Mechanisms
Pressurised systems
Fluid Systems

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.