About the Job
Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our e...
While other companies talk about it, we do it!
Rocket Lab’s Neutron team is responsible for bringing our new large rocket Neutron and its launch and test sites to life. From designing and testing Neutron’s structures and components, to firing up its new Archimedes engines, to setting up Neutron’s launch pads and test sites across the United States, joining the N...
Key Responsibilities
Perform, validate, and document CFD analyses of launch vehicle fluid systems including:
Compressible flow (choked flow, Aerodynamics)
Incompressible flow (internal, two phase)
Perform heat transfer simulations (conduction, convection and radiation) including:
Conduct integrated thermal analyses (ITAs) of spacecraft integrated to Rocket Lab launch vehicles.
Component thermal analyses
Aeroheating thermal response
TPS specification
Perform, validate, and document thermofluid analyses of primary and secondary launch vehicle systems, including:
Model development and coding
Numerical Analysis
Material selection
Performance trade-off studies
Performance optimization
Work closely with design and test engineers to iterate through design concepts, determine test requirements, and demonstrate positive margins
Process and interpret ground test and flight data, including:
Determining if vehicle components remain within MPE bounds
Comparing sensor data across multiple flights to detect out-of-family results
Identifying and resolving sensor configuration issues (grounding, calibration, damage, naming etc.)
Using a strong understanding of physical principles (e.g., heat transfer, flow, cryogenics, pumps, etc.) to determine the root cause of vehicle anomalies through data analysis
Conduct peer reviews of analyses
Document data processing methodology thoroughly for peer review and sign-off
Produce Acceptance, Proto-qualification, and Qualification test levels through the consistent application of approved margining approaches
Support testing of vehicle subsystems through correlation of test and analysis results, and preparation of pre and post-test analysis reports
Standardise and catalogue analysis procedures in line with industry best practice
Develop new and existing propellant dynamics models around temperature, gas rejection and control strategies
Contribute to the improvement and automation of test and flight data review
Required Skills & Abilities
A degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering or similar field
3-5 years industry experience, ideally from the Aerospace, Automotive or Marine industries
Strong understanding of physical principles (heat transfer, electronics, internal flow, aerodynamics, etc.)
Fluid engineering experience around pressure loss, valves and sensors
Demonstrated experience with one or more industry standard CFD packages: Fluent, CFX, STAR-CCM+
Experience in Python and associated scientific packages: numpy, pandas, scipy, matplotlib
Demonstrated thermal modelling of components, networks and lump masses
Experience with experimental test methods, sensor selection and data post-processing/ interpretation (thermocouples, pressure transducers, accelerometers, strain gauges, microphones etc.)
The ability to work to deadlines within a high-pressure environment
Proven communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues and engineering professionals
Experience with dynamic thermofluid systems:
Propellant Dynamics (slosh, flow instabilities, Pogo)
Propellant level sensing and control strategies
Pumps, pressurisation systems and cryogenics experience
Thermodynamics of 2-phase, cryogenics or refrigeration systems
Compressible gas modelling of pressure vessels, pressurisation systems and piping
Knowledge around space thermal environments and modelling for both orbital and ascent environments
Thermal protection system design, specification and implementation.
Knowledge of HVAC system design and/or analysis.
Experience with one or more industry standard thermal modelling packages: Thermal Desktop, THERMICA, NX SST
Familiarity using Solidworks CAD and PDM packages (or comparable industry standard packages) with emphasis on model interrogation and defeaturing for subsequent analyses
Experience in Python package development and modelling (git, CI, deployment)
Familiarity with industry standards (e.g., MIL-STD-1540, GSFC-STD-7000, ECSS-E-HB-32, NASA-STD-5001)
