Updated Jan 21, 2026 using last 90 days postings.

Rocket Lab Hiring Trends – January 2026

Rocket Lab is actively scaling its engineering and manufacturing capabilities with a strong focus on mechanical engineering, embedded software, and test and validation roles primarily based in California and New Zealand. The company is emphasizing hands-on technical roles related to vehicle integration, structural analysis, and quality assurance, alongside leadership positions in space systems software and guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) software development. Their hiring reflects a commitment to in-person collaboration across product development, manufacturing workflows, and supply chain management, with no remote options offered.

Note: These dashboards are not the source of truth. Job posting data can include duplicates and may double count roles. Treat the results as a sample that helps explain what the postings suggest about hiring focus. Summaries are generated with an LLM and may contain errors or omissions. For the most accurate and complete information, research the company directly.

Tracked openings

112

Remote share

0%

Top location

CA, US

Top category

Mechanical Engineering

Inside The Product

Summary

Rocket Lab is a private aerospace manufacturer and global leader in small-satellite launch services with operations in New Zealand and the United States. The company delivers end-to-end space capabilities including responsive launch, spacecraft design, and manufacturing. Job postings emphasize production-scale hardware, flight and space systems software, and supplier-quality processes for launch vehicles and satellites.

What They Build

  • Small-satellite launch vehicles and responsive launch services
  • Spacecraft and satellite component design and structural analysis (composites, large structures)
  • Flight and space systems software including GNC and embedded flight‑critical systems
  • Manufacturing, tooling, ground support equipment and assembly processes
  • Supplier quality, procurement, and supply-chain management to aerospace standards

Customers & Users

  • Small-satellite operators (commercial and research customers)
  • Aerospace and defense programs requiring launch and spacecraft services
  • Institutional and mission customers procuring responsive launch capability

Workflows & Systems

  • Design → tooling → manufacturing → vehicle/subsystem integration → verification & test → launch
  • High-reliability embedded software development with HITL testing and GNC team leads
  • Supplier quality processes using GD&T, CMM inspections, and supplier quality engineers
  • Procurement and supply-chain coordination supporting engineering and production projects
  • Shift-based assembly and test operations staffed by technicians for bench, vibration, and functional testing

Role Insights

Mechanical Engineering

Hiring for mechanical design and tool engineering to produce large structures, ground support equipment, and tooling that meet aerospace quality standards.

Manufacturing Engineering

Roles focus on production processes and precision assembly (mechanical, avionic, wiring harnesses, high-voltage batteries) and translating manufacturing instructions to shop floor execution.

Aerospace Defense Engineering

Recruiting GNC, structural analysis, and flight‑critical engineering expertise (composites, FEA, flight systems) to support launch vehicle and spacecraft performance.

Quality Assurance And Control

Emphasis on supplier quality, GD&T, CMM inspection, and aerospace QA to enforce supplier and production standards for flight hardware.

Test And Validation Engineering

Hiring technicians and test engineers for bench, functional, and vibration testing, and for vehicle integration and verification activities across shifts.

Systems Engineering

Roles span space systems software leadership, systems-level integration, and program management to deliver end-to-end mission capability.

Team Focus

  • Mechanical Engineering: 16 roles (14.3%)
  • Manufacturing Engineering: 16 roles (14.3%)
  • Aerospace Defense Engineering: 12 roles (10.7%)
  • Quality Assurance And Control: 11 roles (9.8%)
  • Test And Validation Engineering: 8 roles (7.1%)
  • Systems Engineering: 5 roles (4.5%)
  • Manufacturing And Production: 5 roles (4.5%)
  • Embedded Software Engineering: 4 roles (3.6%)

Skill Stack

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Design Project Management Thermal Engineering 3D CAD Tooling Design Manufacturing Methods Quality Control Lean Six Sigma

Manufacturing Engineering

Process Improvement Welding Machining Coating Processes Troubleshooting Quality Assurance Lean Six Sigma Production Planning

Aerospace Defense Engineering

Project Management Systems Integration Flight Software GNC Design Testing & Validation Regulatory Compliance Stakeholder Management Cross-functional Collaboration

Quality Assurance And Control

Supplier Quality Management GD&T CMM Lean Six Sigma ISO Standards AS9100 Quality Management Systems Non-Conformance Management

Test And Validation Engineering

Mechanical Assembly Electrical Assembly Functional Testing Environmental Testing Test Data Analysis Systems Engineering Precision Inspection Documentation

Systems Engineering

Systems Engineering Requirements Analysis Software Engineering Electromechanical Systems RF Communications Test Planning CAD Modeling Project Lifecycle Management

Location Footprint

  • CA, US: 40 roles (35.7%)
  • New Zealand: 38 roles (33.9%)
  • MD, US: 18 roles (16.1%)
  • CO, US: 9 roles (8.0%)
  • NM, US: 5 roles (4.5%)
  • Canada: 1 roles (0.9%)
  • VA, US: 1 roles (0.9%)

Seniority Mix

  • Mid: 65 roles (58.0%)
  • Senior: 32 roles (28.6%)
  • Intern: 9 roles (8.0%)
  • Entry: 6 roles (5.4%)

Role Types

  • full_time: 103 roles (92.0%)
  • internship: 9 roles (8.0%)

Hiring Cadence