SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Salary: USD 115,200 - 172,800 / annual
Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Propulsion Systems Analyst I to join the Neutron program, a medium-lift reusable launch vehicle development effort. This role is central to the propulsion engineering team, focusing on the Archimedes engine family.
You will own the creation and maintenance of engine transient and steady-state performance models, with primary responsibility for startup and shutdown behavior across the engine family. You will develop transient simulations, valve sequences, and test campaigns to verify engine performance during critical phases. Working closely with test sites and vehicle-level teams, you will serve as the technical expert and point of contact for all engine transient matters.
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
- Support test site and vehicle transient test campaigns with data review, model grounding, and valve sequence optimization
- Serve as the technical expert engine POC for all engine transients
- Collaborate with engine leads to communicate subcomponent and vehicle system needs
- Create and maintain data processing tools for analysis
This is a hands-on technical role requiring deep expertise in cryogenic liquid propulsion systems. You will work in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment where hardware development and testing are central to the work.
Note: This position requires U.S. citizenship or equivalent authorization due to ITAR regulations governing space technology export.
QUALIFICATIONS (Required):
- 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 lumped parameter fluid analysis tools
- Knowledge of fundamentals in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluid system design
QUALIFICATIONS (Nice to Have):
- Advanced degree in a fluid mechanics-heavy field
- 4+ years of experience designing and operating engine systems or components for staged combustion rocket engines
- Experience with ROCket Engine Transient Simulation Software (ROCETS)
- Experience with Methyl/LOX fluid systems
