Thermofluids Engineer II

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Rocket Lab

Auckland, NZ

On-site

Posted February 26, 2026

Job Description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

NEUTRON
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.

THERMOFLUIDS ANALYST
Rocket Lab’s integrated analysis team contributes to the operation and development of Neutron by using modelling and simulation to solve challenging problems involving dynamics, fluid flow, and thermodynamics. You will develop and be the technical owner of launch vehicle and payload thermal environments, heat transfer correlations and post-flight data review and validation.
As a Thermofluids Analyst in Rocket Lab’s Analysis team you will contribute to the analysis, design validation, and improvements of Rocket Lab’s launch vehicles. Day to day, you will be expected apply first principles to define vehicle thermal environments (in-transport, on-pad, flight, recovery); guide vehicle thermal architecture definition; correlate thermal models with test, stack and flight data; assess customer payloads to ensure thermals stay within operating limits.
Join a driven team that’s tackling challenging projects, delivering on exciting missions, and making an impact on the future of space!

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:
-Perform heat transfer analysis (conduction, convection and radiation) including: 
-Heat transfer coefficient correlations (internal and external) 
-1D thermal analysis 
-Creation of thermal resistance networks 
-Integrated thermal analyses for customer payloads 
-Define in-space and vehicle thermal environments  
-Conduct thermal analyses of propellant, gas and tank interactions  
-Work closely with design and test engineers to iterate through design concepts, determine test requirements, and demonstrate positive margins 
-Support, process and interpret ground test and flight data

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
-A degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering or similar field 
-2+ years industry experience, ideally from the Aerospace, Automotive, Nuclear, HVAC industries  
-Strong understanding of physical principles (heat transfer, electronics, internal flow, aerodynamics, etc.) 
-Experience with one or more industry standard thermal modelling packages: Thermal Desktop, THERMICA, NX SST 
-Thermal protection system design, specification and implementation. 
-Knowledge of HVAC system design and/or analysis. 
-Demonstrated thermal modelling of components, networks and lump masses 
-Experience with experimental test methods, sensor selection and data post-

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