Fluid Systems Engineer II

Rocket Lab Corporation • Long Beach, CA

3h • Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company providing responsive launch services, spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, and satellite components. The company's mission is to open access to space, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation, climate change initiatives, national security, and new technology demonstrations. Their Electron rocket is a frequently launched U.S. rocket, having delivered over 230 satellites to orbit. Rocket Lab is also developing Neutron, a medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment and human spaceflight, aiming for cost-effectiveness and reliability. A Fluid Systems Engineer II on the Neutron team will lead the design, build, and test of fluid systems for the Neutron launch vehicle, collaborating with and guiding the Fluid Systems department to translate vehicle-level requirements into a fluid network that supports aircraft-like reusability and reliability.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or relevant engineering discipline
• 2+ years of experience designing, operating, troubleshooting fluids systems
• Strong engineering fundamentals in fluid dynamics and thermodynamics
• Solid understanding of fluid components such as valves, pressure vessels, flex elements & fittings
• Working knowledge of manufacturing, fabrication, integration processes & quality control relevant to fluid components (valves, flex hoses, tubing, bellows, etc.)

Nice To Haves

• 8+ years experience in a fast-paced aerospace environment where you have completed difficult projects while collaborating effectively with other key groups
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive & professional relationships, & contribute to a culture of inclusion
• Experience working with a distributed team across the globe
• Advanced degree in a fluid mechanics-heavy field
• Experience with oxygen & methane systems
• Experience using fluids analysis tools such as REFPROP and GFSSP
• Experience using Siemens NX
• Experience using Python
• Proven ability to practically apply engineering fundamentals to solve real, complex problems
• Demonstrated ability to rally a team to make & execute good decisions in a fast-paced environment with information available

Responsibilities

• Perform trade studies and sizing – using hand-calcs, analytical models or test data – to define key elements of system architecture
• Provide guidance & mentorship to teammates on and beyond the fluids team to inform fluid system design, test & operations best practices
• Lead key fluid system design, manufacturing and test reviews
• Coordinate with component design, GSE, propulsion, GNC and other interrelated teams to solve multidisciplinary issues
• Create and maintain analytical models that characterize and predict system behavior under all relevant conditions
• Champion efforts to create and maintain piping and instrumentation diagrams, system CAD, production drawings, and system test and operations procedures
• Perform planning, analysis, and troubleshooting of system performance during real-time operations and post-test data reviews
• Project management including development schedules, vendor management, budgeting, etc.
• Create tools to enhance the team’s analysis capabilities, streamline workflow and optimize launch operations

Benefits

• top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option
• dental and vision coverage
• 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year
• 11 paid holidays per year
• flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts
• paid parental leave
• disability insurance
• life insurance
• access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Discounted employee stock purchase program
• subsidized EV charging stations
• onsite gym
• food and drinks
• other discounts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees