Principal Stage Fluids Engineer

Rocket Lab•Long Beach, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

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. As a Principal Stage Fluids Engineer, Neutron owns the design, build, test, and review of multiple fluid systems across the Neutron launch vehicle. Our team owns all plumbing and systems between the tanks and the engines. Your work within the Fluid Systems department will turn vehicle-level requirements into a fluid network that enables Neutron to operate with aircraft-like reusability and reliability.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or relevant engineering discipline.
12+ years of experience in a hardware rich environment.
Experience with fluid components design and usage for valves, pressure vessels, flex elements & fittings.
Experience with DfM/DfAM, machining processes, and welding processes with a proven understanding of mechanical drafting and GD&T.

Nice To Haves

8+ years of experience in a fast-paced aerospace environment where you have completed difficult projects while collaborating effectively with other key groups.
Strong understanding of how to design for classic aerospace constraints: minimizing mass while maintaining manufacturability, function, and low costs.
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, and/or cryogenic systems.
Experience using Siemens NX & Teamcenter.
Demonstrated ability to rally a team to make & execute good decisions in a fast-paced environment with limited information.
Experience with Aerospace Processes, Standards, and Workflows, from JIRA to AS9100.

Responsibilities

Design plumbing systems, components, and their secondary structures.
Provide feedback to your peers on their designs, drawings, and methodology.
Analyze these systems and components in the harsh and dynamic environments of launch.
Review and provide feedback for critical structural analysis of fluid components and systems.
Model these systems to characterize and predict system behavior at all conditions.
Understand and interpret models of others and work to improve efficacy of modelling.
Test and qualify these systems, components, and modules.
Manage requirements, realization, and implementation of systems in the larger launch vehicle context.
Integrate your hardware into the vehicle.
Review data from component, system, and vehicle level testing to optimize and improve future designs.
Collaborate with components, propulsion, structures, mechanical, operations, and flight software teams to develop and define vehicle functions.
Create tools to enhance the team’s analysis capabilities, streamline workflow and optimize launch operations.
Set the standard for design, production, and testing processes.
Enforce these standards across the program and beyond.
Mentor and grow your peers to strengthen the overall team.

Benefits

company stock
Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock)
top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution)
dental and vision coverage
paid vacation and sick time
11 paid holidays
flexible spending and dependent care accounts
paid parental leave
disability and life insurance
401(k) retirement plan with company match
subsidized EV charging
onsite fitness centers (where available)
discounted gym memberships
complimentary snacks and beverages
50% employee discount on our popular merch store
a variety of other employee discounts