Structural Analysis Engineer II

Rocket Lab Corporation•Long Beach, CA

1d•$100,800 - $138,600•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team builds spacecraft, payloads, and components for commercial, exploration, national security, and defense missions. Based at the company’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Structural Analysis Engineer II contributes to structural analysis, design validation, and continued improvement of Space Systems and Space Components. The role defines loads and environments, performs detailed simulations and physics-based analyses, guides designs, 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 work includes processing and interpreting ground-test and flight data; performing and documenting structural analyses and simulations; collaborating with design and test engineers; defining requirements and supporting tests; leading technical projects across disciplines; and helping implement tools, theory, and best practices. The position may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or another engineering discipline.
Eligible to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
At least 2 years of structural analysis experience in the aerospace industry.
Experience using NX Nastran, NX CAD, and Teamcenter.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or PhD in mechanical engineering or another engineering discipline.
Active security clearance.
Experience analyzing additively manufactured parts.
Experience with sensor selection and data post-processing and interpretation, including accelerometers and strain gauges.
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.
Experience in spacecraft-level structural test campaign design, execution, data processing, and validation.

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 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 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.