Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer II​/Senior Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer Pi

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation, missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

We’re currently seeking a Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer II / Senior Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer I for future opportunities on our structural analysis engineering team based in Long Beach, CA. This team supports our Space Systems division and leads cutting‑edge programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers. Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineers contribute to the analysis, design validation, and future improvements of our suite of Space Systems and Space Components.

You will be expected to define loads and environments, perform detailed simulations and physics‑based analysis, guide design, and help validate analysis, design, and system performance through test. You will support the Vehicle Design Director and Space Systems organization, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we’re building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration and in‑space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives, working with partners such as NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

• Define, process, and interpret static and dynamic ground test & flight data, including sensor selection, data acquisition and validation, and environmental determination (random vibration, shock, quasi‑static, acoustic, pressure, and thermal).
• Perform, validate, and document structural analyses of primary and secondary vehicle structures, including finite element model verification and validation, material selection, performance of trade‑off studies, and mass optimization.
• Perform structural and dynamic simulations, including static, modal, random vibration, buckling, and thermoelastic.
• Work closely with design and test engineers to iterate through design concepts, determine test requirements, and demonstrate positive structural margins.
• Define test requirements and directly support testing of vehicle subsystems and components.
• Lead technical projects and programs, as required, both within analysis and across disciplines and teams.
• Help implement new theory and tools within the team and establish best practices in areas of technical expertise.

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Please note:

this position can be hired at the Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer II or Senior Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer I level).

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry.
• Experience using NX Nastran, NX CAD, and Teamcenter packages.
• Experience in spacecraft‑level structural test campaign design, execution, data processing, and validation.
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry.
• Experience using NX Nastran, NX CAD, and Teamcenter packages.
• Experience in spacecraft‑level structural test campaign design, execution, data processing, and validation.
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements.

• Master’s or Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, or other engineering…