Senior Combustion Devices Engineer II ​/ Principal Combustion Devices Engineer

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 and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Rocket Lab's Neutron team is responsible for bringing our new large rocket Neutron and its launch and test sites to life. From designing and testing Neutron's structures and components, to firing up its new Archimedes engines, to setting up Neutron's launch pads and test sites across the United States, joining the Neutron team is your opportunity to help launch a new large rocket for the very first time.

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 chambers assemblies and vacuum nozzles). These devices are an integral portion of the 200,000 lbf Archimedes engine, which operates in a demanding but efficient ox-rich, staged combustion architecture.

In this role, you'll take ownership of all aspects of a component: design and analysis, manufacturing and test support, and successful flights and subsequent, high-cadence, re-flights. By doing so, you will help propel the Neutron rocket, expanding human capabilities in space and providing value to the company and its shareholders.

Please note:
This position can be hired as a Senior Combustion Devices Engineer II or Principal Combustion Devices Engineer Level.

• Design, analyze, and perform trades studies to achieve programmatic targets.
• Define requirements, test and flight qualification plans.
• Work with the interface owners, like turbo machinery and engine systems teams, to make a high-end product that could be iterated fast and seamlessly.
• Work with manufacturing and build engineers to design easily manufacturable, cost-effective, beautiful parts.
• Work with the test and launch teams to interpret data and provide solutions to enable a high cadence - of tests, flights and re-flights.

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

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

• Master's or a PhD.
• Advanced proficiency in NX, ANSYS…