Job brief: Manager, Mechanical Engineering

What JoRoute checked · Checked by JoRoute

• Listed on Rocket Lab's own job board. JoRoute does not take listings from job ads or recruiters.
• First seen by JoRoute 2026-11-04 (2 days ago); last confirmed on the board 2026-11-06.
• The apply link opens job-boards.greenhouse.io, the address Rocket Lab's board gives for this job.
• No other listing with this title and place on this board in the last 90 days.
• No layoff notices (WARN) under this name in the state files JoRoute reads.

What the listing says · Employer's own words, not checked

• Pay: $151,500 to $252,500 a year
• Job type: Not stated
• Where: Pasadena, CA · Motiv
• Posted: 2026-10-29

What the job asks · Employer's own words, not checked

Level: Manager. The title says "Manager".

Must have

• The ideal candidate has strong technical depth in mechanical design, precision mechanisms, robotics, spaceflight hardware, CAD, GD&T, analysis, manufacturing, assembly, integratio…
• A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or another related engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of hands-on mechanical engineering experience, including experience leading development efforts and supporting teams of engineers.
• Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S.
• as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S.
• 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' Internationa…

Main duties

• Lead, manage, and develop a team of mechanical engineers delivering space robotics, precision mechanisms, electromechanical assemblies, tooling, fixtures, gr…
• Support staffing, utilization, mentoring, performance feedback, career development, resource planning, budgets, and functional priorities across programs.
• Serve as a hands-on technical contributor while leading the team, including developing mechanical concepts, creating and reviewing SolidWorks CAD, performing…
• Own and lead mechanical design efforts from concept through CAD, analysis, drawing release, procurement, assembly, integration, environmental test, qualifica…
• Drive technical decisions on mechanical architecture, packaging, interfaces, tolerance strategy, materials, fabrication approach, assembly flow, inspection p…

Lines copied from the posting, not rewritten. "Preferred" or "nice to have" items are not listed as must-haves.

How it compares · Compared by JoRoute from listings

• Typical listed pay for mechanic and technician jobs in California: $74k a year (329 listings, 40 employers). This listing is 173% higher.
• Across Rocket Lab's 456 open listings, 24% of those with a posting date were first posted more than 60 days ago. How Rocket Lab hires

What nobody outside the employer knows · Not known

• Whether the role is already filled or on hold: employers often leave listings up.
• How many people applied, and who reads the applications.
• Where in the published range an offer would land.

Ask before you apply

1. Which of the listed places is this role based in?
2. What are the interview steps, and when should I expect to hear back?

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Next steps

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• 166 more mechanic and technician jobs within 25 miles, on the job map with pay.
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