Senior Combustion Devices Engineer II​/Principal Combustion Devices Engineer

Role Overview

Based out of Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Principal/Senior Combustion Devices Engineer will be responsible for the development of one or more combustion devices (preburners, main injectors, thrust chamber assemblies, and vacuum nozzles) integral to the 200,000 lbf Archimedes engine used on the Neutron rocket.

• Design, analyze, and perform trade studies to meet programmatic targets.
• Define requirements, test and flight qualification plans.
• Collaborate with interface owners such as turbo machinery and engine systems teams to create a high‑end product that can be iterated quickly.
• Work with manufacturing and build engineers to design manufacturable, cost‑effective, and high‑quality parts.
• Partner with test and launch teams to interpret data and enable a high‑cadence schedule of tests, flights, and re‑flights.

Senior Combustion Devices Engineer II

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of combustion device design experience.
• In‑depth knowledge of combustion and fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and structural mechanics.
• Fundamental understanding of design principles and manufacturing methods.

Principal Combustion Devices Engineer

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent experience.
• 12+ years of combustion device design experience.
• In‑depth knowledge of combustion and fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and structural mechanics.
• Fundamental understanding of design principles and manufacturing methods.

• Master's or PhD degree.
• Advanced proficiency in NX, ANSYS Mechanical, StarCCM, MATLAB, and GD&T.
• Experience with niche software such as TDK, ROCCID, PERCORP, CEA, and ROCETS.
• Reacting flow CFD expertise.
• Expertise in high‑speed data/video analysis in time and frequency domains.
• Experience designing reusable, propulsively landing rocket engines.
• Experience in an iterative, scrappy development environment.

• Must be willing to travel and communicate outside of work hours.
• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed.
• Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate a computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings.
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, and moderate levels of noise.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations. Eligible candidates must also meet International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) compliance requirements.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. The company offers reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process for applicants requiring such accommodations.