Senior Vehicle Design Engineer - Neutron Thrust Module

NEUTRON

Rocket Lab’s Neutron team is bringing our innovative medium-lift launch vehicle, Neutron, to life. As a Senior Development Engineer in the Thrust Module team, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the architecture of our vehicle. This is your opportunity to work on cutting-edge systems including composite and mechanical structures (like the Thrust Structure) and mechanisms (such as Landing Legs) that make Neutron a revolutionary vehicle.

In this role, you’ll collaborate closely with world-class analysis and manufacturing engineers to transform bold concepts into real-world systems. From initial design to manufacturing, testing, and integration, you’ll own the entire lifecycle of your subsystems until they fly on the Neutron vehicle.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Produce & rapidly iterate conceptual designs in CAD for structures and mechanisms across the Neutron launch vehicle.
• Proactively identify and solve technical challenges to allow projects to proceed safely and at pace;
• Engage with more experienced engineers across the team for ongoing mentorship and coaching, for both technical and behavioural skills.
• Prepare drawing packages & technical reports, ensuring manufacturability is considered throughout the design process
• Produce design documentation, FMEA, P&IDs, ICDs etc.
• Support with the definition of design requirements
• Support the testing structures and mechanisms, including composites and metallic components
• Develop test plans, monitor test activities, and post-process and document test data to verify functional and performance requirements;
• Produce test jigs / fixtures to aid testing of components & assemblies;

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Aerospace, mechanical or mechatronic engineering degree or equivalent qualification
• 5+ years designing high performance mechanical systems
• Experience with CAD software such as NX (preferred), Fibersim (preferred), Solidworks, CATIA
• The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well within a team environment
• Sound analytical skills and the ability to see the big picture and making connections and appropriate decisions
• Have tenacity, a can-do attitude, and the ability to think quickly and make accurate judgements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience in one of the following domain areas:
  • Metallic or composite structures
  • Mechanisms
  • Pressurised systems
  • Fluid Systems