Senior Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer I - TS/SCI Clearance

Rocket Lab•Long Beach, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Senior Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer I contributes to analysis, design validation, and future improvements for Space Systems and Space Components. The role defines loads and environments, performs detailed simulations and physics-based analyses, guides design, and helps validate analysis, design, and system performance through testing. It supports the Vehicle Design Director and Space Systems organization, with deliverables for internal leadership, the board of directors, and investors. The engineer works with ground-test and flight data; analyzes primary and secondary vehicle structures; performs structural and dynamic simulations; collaborates with design and test engineers; defines test requirements and supports testing; and may lead technical projects and programs across disciplines. The role also helps introduce theory and tools and establish technical best practices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or another engineering discipline.
Active TS/SCI clearance.
U.S. citizenship, due to program requirements.
At least 5 years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry.
Experience using NX Nastran, NX CAD, and Teamcenter.
Experience designing and executing spacecraft-level structural test campaigns, including data processing and validation.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or PhD in mechanical engineering or another engineering discipline.
Experience with full satellite system development cycles, from concept to launch.
Experience analyzing additively manufactured parts.
Experience with sensor selection and data post-processing and interpretation, including accelerometers, strain gauges, and thermocouples.
Experience in structural analysis of composites, including laminate design, joint design, materials characterization, and environmental effects.
Familiarity with nonlinear material simulation, including metal plasticity, elastomers, and adhesive joints.

Responsibilities

Define, process, and interpret static and dynamic ground-test and flight data, including sensor selection, data acquisition and validation, and determination of random vibration, shock, quasi-static, acoustic, pressure, and thermal environments.
Perform, validate, and document structural analyses of primary and secondary vehicle structures, including finite-element model verification and validation, material selection, trade-off studies, and mass optimization.
Perform structural and dynamic simulations, including static, modal, random-vibration, buckling, and thermoelastic analyses.
Collaborate with design and test engineers to iterate on design concepts, determine test requirements, and demonstrate positive structural margins.
Define test requirements and directly support testing of vehicle subsystems and components.
Lead technical projects and programs within analysis and across disciplines and teams, as required.
Help implement new theory and tools and establish best practices in areas of technical expertise.

Benefits

Company stock as part of total compensation.
Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a significant company HSA 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 the company merchandise store.
Other employee discounts.