# Development Engineer at Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is hiring a Development Engineer in Auckland, New Zealand. Level rates it Little AI ●○○○; you can [apply on Rocket Lab](https://jobsbylevel.com/go/fef2aaeb-42f0-439a-ac58-7c21d2e352da?utm_medium=ai-agent).

AI Level 1, AI centrality 0 out of 100. Auckland, NZ.

## Details

- Company: [Rocket Lab](https://jobsbylevel.com/companies/rocket-lab)
- AI level: AI Level 1 (score 0 out of 100)
- Location: Auckland, NZ
- Posted: July 21, 2026
- Apply: https://jobsbylevel.com/go/fef2aaeb-42f0-439a-ac58-7c21d2e352da?utm_medium=ai-agent
- Free CV review for this job: https://jobsbylevel.com/cv-review?job=development-engineer-at-rocket-lab-a8c3e5

## Prepare for this job

The job page lists 5 likely interview questions for this offer, with a CV checklist: https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/development-engineer-at-rocket-lab-a8c3e5

## 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. 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, you'll design, test and refine the systems that get Electron to orbit: tanks, interstages, fairings, separation and landing mechanisms, aerodynamic controls, fluid systems and thermal protection. First sketch to flight-ready hardware. You'll iterate in CAD with analysis and manufacturing engineers, release the drawings that get parts built, then push your hardware to its limits on the test stand until it's ready to fly. 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: You'll own hardware. Real, load bearing, propellant-holding, separation-critical hardware: Structures - propellant tanks, interstages, composite fairings Mechanisms - stage separation systems Fluids - pressurant systems, propellant management, ignition systems, reaction control systems Thermal - thermal protection systems, HVAC And you'll own it end to end. You'll work shoulder to shoulder with analysis engineers who'll tell you what the math says, and manufacturing engineers who'll tell you what's buildable. Then you'll find the answer that satisfies both, plus gravity, plus the schedule. 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. This is not just a desk job. YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS: A degree in aerospace, mechanical, mechatronic, fluidic engineering or equivalent experience 3+ years developing and testing high-performance mechanical systems, ideally structures and/or mechanisms Hands-on fluency with test instrumentation load cells, accelerometers, strain gauges, pressure transducers from setup through to interpreting static and dynamic data Strong analytical instincts: you can zoom in on a fastener and out to the full vehicle, and make the right call at both scales Excellent communication skills and a genuine team-first mindset A relentless bias toward done efficiently, effectively, and to the highest quality standard Tenacity, a can-do attitude, and sound judgement when the clock is running THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: Experience in one of the following domain areas: Composites structures, Large scale structural testing, Cryogenic systems, Pressurised systems, Mechanical moving assemblies Experience with CAD software such as NX (preferred), Solidworks, CATIA Experience using Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter (preferred), Windchill, or similar Experience using National Instruments data acquisition systems Programming in C+, matlab, labview or other Experience writing/reviewing safety risk assessments 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

The description is cut here. Read the full offer: https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/development-engineer-at-rocket-lab-a8c3e5

Source: https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/development-engineer-at-rocket-lab-a8c3e5

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