Propulsion Systems Analyst II​/Senior

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 is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program. If you’re interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re-usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!

The Propulsion Systems Analyst is responsible for the creation, maintenance, of engine transients and steady state models as well as owning the overall performance of the startup and shutdown of the Archimedes Engines. They will help develop startup and shutdown campaigns for all the engines in the Archimedes engine family. They will also assist in the maintaining engine performance models used for vehicle level analysis.

• Develop transient startup and shutdown simulations for the Archimedes engines family.
• Develop and maintain startup and shutdown valve sequences as well as test campaigns for the verification and engine transients.
• Support test site and vehicle transients test campaigns with data review, model grounding, and valve sequence changes for engine testing.
• Serve as the technical expert engine POC for all engine transients.
• Work closely with other engine leads to ensure to communicate subcomponent needs as well as vehicle system needs to support healthy engine transients.
• Creation and maintenance of data processing tools

(This position can be hired as a Propulsion Analyst II or Senior Propulsion Analyst I Level)

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or related field
• 2+ years experience with fluids system analysis of a cryogenic liquid propulsion rocket engine.
• Demonstrated expertise using or building a lumped parameter fluid analysis tool.
• Knowledge of fundamentals in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluid system design.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or related field
• 5+ years experience with fluids system analysis of a cryogenic liquid propulsion rocket engine.
• Demonstrated expertise using or building a lumped parameter fluid analysis tool.
• Knowledge of fundamentals in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluid system design.

• Advanced degree in a fluid mechanics-heavy field
• 4+ years experience designing and operating an engine system or components for a staged combustion rocket engine.
• Experience with ROCet Engine Transient Simulation Software (ROCETS)
• Experience with Methyl/LOX fluid systems.

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Join one of the world’s fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay,
you’ll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package , giving you a direct stake in our…