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Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Aerodynamics Analyst to join the Thermofluids Analysis team supporting the Neutron large rocket program. This role is based in Auckland, New Zealand and focuses on predicting aerodynamics and aerothermal environments for both Electron and Neutron vehicles across all mission phases.
Key responsibilities include:
- Generate aerotables and characterize vehicle performance, including stability, control authority, loads, pressure distributions, and aerodynamic design of control surfaces
- Perform, validate, and document CFD analyses across hypersonic, transonic, and subsonic regimes to characterize aerodynamic and heating environments, transients, and separation events
- Model plumes and plume interactions (base heating, PIFS, impingement) and define re-entry architecture including ballistic coefficients, ConOps, and compartment venting
- Collaborate with design and test engineers to iterate design concepts, determine test requirements, and demonstrate positive margins through numerical analysis and physical testing
- Work with the GNC team to enable safe landing and recovery of Neutron's first stage
- Process and interpret ground test and flight data to confirm MPE bounds, detect out-of-family results, and resolve sensor configuration issues
Required qualifications:
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar field
- 5+ years of industry experience, ideally from aerospace, automotive, or marine sectors
- Strong expertise in CFD analysis and aerodynamic modeling
- Experience with aerothermal analysis and vehicle performance characterization
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across engineering teams
- Excellent technical documentation and communication skills
