Structural Analyst I
Confirmed live in the last 24 hours
Rocket Lab
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.
ELECTRON
Rocket Lab’s Electron team is responsible for building, testing, and launching our Electron rocket across our launch sites and test facilities in the United States and New Zealand. Electron is one of the world’s most frequently-launched rockets, and our team behind its success are diligent, move fast, and have each others’ back to deliver a reliable rocket to the launch pad time and time again.
STRUCTURAL ANALYST I
Rocket Lab’s Analysis Team tackles complex problems in structures, dynamics, fluid flow, and thermodynamics using first principles physics, modeling, simulation, and data analysis. As a Structural Analyst I, you will support design validation, analysis, and improvements for Rocket Lab’s Launch Vehicles, Space Systems, and Components. Your role includes reviewing flight data, performing simulations, guiding designs, validating performance through testing, and occasionally supporting propulsion, ground systems, and launch operations. 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:
- Define, acquire, and validate static and dynamic ground test and flight data.
- Select sensors and determine environments (e.g., Random Vibration, Shock, Quasi-Static, Acoustic, Pressure, Thermal).
- Validate finite element models and conduct material selection.
- Execute trade-off studies and optimize mass for primary and secondary vehicle structures.
- Perform simulations for static, modal, random vibration, buckling, and thermal analysis.
- Establish test requirements and directly assist in testing vehicle subsystems.
- Conduct peer reviews of analyses and work closely with design and test engineers to refine designs, define test needs, and ensure structural margins.
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
- A degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or similar field
- 1+ years industry experience, ideally from the Aerospace, Automotive, or Marine industries
- A keen physics-based approach to problem solving
- Strong command of structural mechanics
- Experience with one or more industry standard structural FEA packages: ANSYS, Nastran, Abaqus, Optistruct/Hyperworks
- Experience using NX CAD and Teamcenter packages (or comparable industry standard packages) with emphasis on model interrogation and defeaturing for subsequent analyses
- Comfort executing to changing deadlines within a high pressure environment
- Comfort working independently and in a team
- Effective communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues and engineering professionals
THESE QUALIFICATIONS
