Ground Equipment Engineer II​/Senior

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.

Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost‑effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program. If you’re interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean‑sheet development of a re‑usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!

We are currently seeking a GSE Engineer based out of Rocket Lab’s Space Structures Complex. They will be responsible for design, specification, analysis, procurement, and operation of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and production tooling used across multiple programs and sites. This position can be hired as a Level II or Senior level.

• Design, analyze, procure, and implement tooling and GSE ranging in complexity from basic handling fixtures to vehicle‑level test fixtures.
• Own manufacturing, schedule, and sourcing of critical production tools.
• Interact with numeric control (NC) programmers, welders, machinists, shop personnel, outside suppliers and engineers to ensure flawless and timely execution of projects.
• Source, retain, and advise new and experienced vendors from a technical perspective.
• Collaborate with vehicle manufacturing engineers and designers on better design for manufacturing.
• Develop the standards, fabrication methods, and sourcing strategies used by the tooling organization.
• Design and lead the fabrication and sourcing of tooling aids, supporting equipment, and specialized hardware to enable rocket production.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of tooling design and analysis.
• Technical project management or manufacturing design experience.
• Advanced understanding of mechanical design principles.
• Experience with mechanical design of large structures used for critical operations, including crane lift operations, transport operations, vertical and horizontal structural alignment and advanced tooling for product ionizing.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of tooling design and analysis.
• Technical project management or manufacturing design experience.
• Advanced understanding of mechanical design principles.
• Experience with mechanical design of large structures used for critical operations, including crane lift operations, transport operations, vertical and horizontal structural alignment and advanced tooling for product ionizing.

• Tooling manufacturing experience within the aerospace, automotive, or other large‑format fabrication industries.
• FEA analysis and hand calculations of structural, mechanical, or fluid components.
• Fundamental understanding of mechanical design principals.
• Proficient in reading and interpreting engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Knowledge of heat transfer, fluids and structural mechanics.
• Project management experience in a fast‑paced prototype fabrication shop environment.
• Knowledge of manufacturing methods for large precision structures and equipment.
• Detailed knowledge of quality standards for typical fabrication and production products.
• Experience integrating hydraulic and pneumatic‑controlled systems.
• Detailed knowledge of Siemens NX or similar CAD and PLM packages.
• Proficient with all types of hand tools and basic fabrication equipment.
• Understa…