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Salary: USD 126,000 - 172,800 / annual
Rocket Lab is seeking a Propulsion Systems Analyst II / Senior to join the Neutron program, a medium-lift reusable launch vehicle development effort. The Neutron platform is designed to deliver mega constellations, high-assurance payloads, and enable human spaceflight, leveraging Rocket Lab's proven execution history with the Electron program.
In this role, you will own the creation and maintenance of engine transient and steady-state models for the Archimedes engine family. You will develop startup and shutdown campaigns for all engines in the Archimedes family and assist in maintaining engine performance models used for vehicle-level analysis.
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop transient startup and shutdown simulations for the Archimedes engines family
- Develop and maintain startup and shutdown valve sequences and test campaigns for verification of engine transients
- Support test site and vehicle transient test campaigns with data review, model grounding, and valve sequence changes
- Serve as the technical expert and primary point of contact for all engine transients
- Work closely with other engine leads to communicate subcomponent and vehicle system needs supporting healthy engine transients
- Create and maintain data processing tools
This position can be hired at either the Propulsion Systems Analyst II or Senior Propulsion Systems Analyst I level, depending on experience.
Rocket Lab is a fast-moving, hardware-focused space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. The culture emphasizes hard work, relentless innovation, teamwork, and delivering results under pressure.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROPULSION SYSTEMS ANALYST II:
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related field
- 2+ years of experience with fluids system analysis of cryogenic liquid propulsion rocket engines
- Demonstrated expertise using or building a lumped parameter fluid analysis tool
- Knowledge of fundamentals in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluid system design
QUALIFICATIONS FOR SENIOR PROPULSION SYSTEMS ANALYST I:
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of experience with fluids system analysis of cryogenic liquid propulsion rocket engines
- Demonstrated expertise using or building a lumped parameter fluid analysis tool
- Knowledge of fundamentals in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluid system design
NICE-TO-HAVE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Advanced degree in a fluid mechanics-heavy field
- 4+ years of experience designing and operating an engine system or components for a staged combustion rocket engine
- Experience with ROCket Engine Transient Simulation Software (ROCETS)
- Experience with Methyl/LOX fluid systems
Note: This position requires ITAR compliance. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Commerce.
