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Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Propulsion Design Engineer to join the Neutron team at their Long Beach headquarters. Neutron is Rocket Lab's new large-lift rocket program, and this role focuses on designing engine components for the Archimedes engine, including combustion chambers, turbomachinery, and overall engine layout.
You will own mechanical design solutions for propulsion systems, working from concept through production. Key responsibilities include collaborating with subject matter experts to design engine systems meeting performance, quality, and manufacturability requirements; performing trade studies and design reviews with analysts and manufacturing engineers; and partnering with internal and external fabrication teams to transition designs into hardware.
Required qualifications: Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering (or related field); 5+ years of relevant engineering experience; strong foundation in heat transfer, fluids, and structural mechanics; proficiency in finite element analysis (ANSYS Workbench or equivalent); mastery of mechanical design principles; solid understanding of design for manufacturing and GD&T; experience developing and maintaining engineering design best practices; and demonstrated ability to develop parts, assemblies, or systems from concept to production.
Desirable qualifications include high proficiency in GD&T, expertise with ANSYS Workbench and CFD software (StarCCM+ or similar), experience designing additively manufactured rocket engine components, background in propulsion systems design/analysis/test/operations/manufacturing, knowledge of aerospace hardware qualification best practices, and experience in fast-paced development programs.
Rocket Lab offers competitive base pay plus equity grants, an industry-leading ESPP (15% discount), comprehensive medical/dental/vision coverage, paid time off, flexible spending accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, 401(k) matching, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness facilities, and employee discounts.
