Senior Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer II - TS/SCI Clearance
About The Position
Based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Senior Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer II 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. The engineer supports the Vehicle Design Director and the Space Systems organization, with deliverables for internal leadership, the board of directors, and investors. The position works closely with design and test engineers to develop and iterate design concepts, establish test requirements, and demonstrate positive structural margins. It also leads technical projects as needed, supports implementation of new theory and tools, and establishes best practices in areas of technical expertise.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or another engineering discipline.
- Active TS/SCI clearance.
- U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
- At least 8 years of engineering experience in the aerospace industry.
- Experience using NX Nastran, NX CAD, and Teamcenter packages.
- Experience designing and executing spacecraft-level structural test campaigns, and processing and validating test data.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s or PhD in mechanical engineering or another engineering discipline.
- Experience in 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.
- Work with design and test engineers to iterate 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 as required, within analysis and across disciplines and teams.
- Help implement new theory and tools within the team and establish best practices in areas of technical expertise.
Benefits
- Company stock as part of the total compensation package.
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
- Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
