Mechanical Engineer II: Avionics Neutron Rocket

Long Beach, CA

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

NEUTRON

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.

MECHANCIAL ENGINEER II - NEUTRON AVIONICS

Based out of Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Mechanical

Engineer II,Neutron Avionics,is responsible forthedevelopment and implementation of mechanicaldesigns and packaging solutionsforthe electronics that power Neutron.

From cradle to grave, you willcreatethe mechanical components thatenablethe avionics across the vehicle, includingonthe Archimedes engine, GNC sensing and computing, and the explosive flight safety system,toreliablyoperatein extremelaunch vehicleenvironments across many re-flights.

Working with fellow avionics designers, you will develop innovative solutions to integrate theavionics,optimizingforcost, mass, and production rate.

Youwill be part of a small, agile, and effective US-based avionics teamthatworkshands-onwith the physical flight hardware on the production floorand at the launch site.

The ideal candidate will be experienced in mechanical and structural design,electronics packaging,and environmental survivability.

You willcollaboratewith a range ofcross-functional teams, including local propulsion and fluids systems,electrical design,vehicle integration, and testing sites–both local, national, and global– forthe upper-level assemblies.

You will experience vehicle hardware transform from prototype to production, through various test sites, and ending at the launch site with the full Neutron coming together.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Development of mechanical components and electro-mechanical systems. Includes mechanical design, prototyping, production, test and integration. Execute multiple design iterations in efficient manner, while leveraging technical experience to clear short-term issues and long-term roadblocks. Own the hardware delivery timeline through inception, design, assembly, and test.
• Support and execute hardware testing, including system-level performance validation, Archimedes hotfires, integrated vehicle stack tests, and explosive/destructive qualification.
• Analysis of electro-mechanical and structural assemblies via classical and computer methods. Assess and optimize for downstream performance of physical events being driven and usage across the lifetime of the rocket.
• Contribute to the future, reusable vehicle architectures. Optimize the designs, implementation, and operation to achieve hands-off reusability between flights.
• Travel to vendors and test sites around the United States, approximately 10%.Sporadic travel to New Zealand sites.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent.
• 2+ years of professional experience with mechanical or electro-mechanical design and analysis.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Professional experience with NX, Ansys, or similar tools.
• Experience designing things for stressing thermal and dynamic environments.
• Strong fundamentals in mechanical design, 3D modeling, finite element analysis (FEA), and manufacturing drawing creation…