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Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer II to contribute to the analysis, design validation, and continuous improvement of its Space Systems and Space Components portfolio. Based in Long Beach, CA, this role supports the Vehicle Design Director and broader Space Systems organization, delivering technical work for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.
You will define loads and environments, perform detailed simulations and physics-based analysis, guide design iterations, and validate performance through testing. Key responsibilities include:
• Define, process, and interpret static and dynamic ground test and flight data, including sensor selection, data acquisition, validation, and environmental determination (random vibration, shock, quasi-static, acoustic, pressure, thermal).
• Perform, validate, and document structural analyses of primary and secondary vehicle structures, including finite element model verification and validation, material selection, trade-off studies, and mass optimization.
• Execute structural and dynamic simulations: static, modal, random vibration, buckling, and thermoelastic analyses.
• Collaborate closely with design and test engineers to iterate design concepts, determine test requirements, and demonstrate positive structural margins.
• Define test requirements and directly support subsystem and component testing.
• Lead technical projects and programs within analysis and across disciplines.
• Implement new theory and tools, establishing best practices in areas of technical expertise.
Required qualifications: Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related discipline; active TS/SCI clearance; U.S. citizenship; 8+ years aerospace engineering experience; proficiency with NX Nastran, NX CAD, and Teamcenter; experience in spacecraft-level structural test campaign design, execution, data processing, and validation.
Desirable qualifications include Master's or PhD in engineering, full satellite system development experience from concept to launch, additive manufacturing analysis, sensor selection and data post-processing, composite structural analysis, and nonlinear material simulation experience.
