Fluid Component Engineer II

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 ...

The Fluid Component Engineer II plays a key role in the design, build and test of fluid components across the Neutron launch vehicle, including valves, actuators and regulators. You will collaborate with an amazing team of engineers in the Fluid Systems department to turn vehicle-level requirements into a family of ...

Own fluid component designs from concept through launch

Create and maintain analytical models to size new components from first principles and predict sealing, force balance, structural and timing behavior 
Create and maintain component product definition through CAD models, technical drawings, and test procedures 
Lead key component design, manufacturing and test reviews 
Manage vendor and internal schedules during design, build and test sprints.
Build and test prototype components hands-on, collaborating with machinists, build technicians, manufacturing engineers, and test engineers  
Lead test campaigns to qualify components for flight 
Conduct root cause failure investigations of hardware, and implement design fixes to achieve reliability  
Update existing component designs to address critical failure modes while reducing cost and mass and increasing build rate  .
Review data from engine and vehicle test operations to validate component performance and diagnose anomalies   

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering 
2+ years of experience with mechanical design and assembly, CAD, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), 2D drawings, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) 
Strong first-principles engineering knowledge to establish and challenge requirements and develop optimized designs 
Knowledge of metal and polymer material properties, fabrication, fastening, assembly and testing methods 
Strong engineering fundamentals in structural analysis, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and electromechanical systems 
Demonstrated ability to bring definition to complex design problems in a fast-paced environment with information available 
Hands-on experience with prototyping, mechanical assembly and pressure testing  
5+ years experience of aerospace valve specific design, build and test  
Experience with cryogenic oxygen & methane components and combustion devices 
Experience using fluids analysis tools such as REFPROP and GFSSP 
Experience using Siemens NX 
Experience using Python 
Experience with precision CNC machining (mill and lathe) and CAM 

Citizenship of AU / NZ / EU / NATO