Senior Turbomachinery Engineer, Pipeline

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems. 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 provided reliable access to orbit since 2018, becoming one of the most frequently launched rockets in the world. Neutron will be our next rocket on the launch pad, an advanced 13-tonne payload class, reusable rocket to launch the mega constellations of the future. Our space systems business includes our extensive line of satellites and components that have enabled more than 1,700 missions including the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA Psyche Mission, Artemis I, Mars Ingenuity helicopter, and more.  

Join our pioneering team and launch your career to new heights!

NEUTRON 

Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program. If you’re interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re-usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity! 

SENIOR ENGINEER, TURBOMACHINERY, PIPELINE

The Senior Engineer, Turbomachinery Pipelline position will be based out of Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA. This future role is responsible for the design and development of the turbomachinery hardware for the Archimedes engine and will provide the opportunity for full life cycle ownership of clean sheet turbopump design. You will support the Neutron and Archimedes teams, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors. 

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:  

• Responsible engineer of significant turbomachinery components/systems 
  • Drive design, manufacturing, testing, and flight to meet cost, life, reusability, and reliability milestones 
  • Work with other teams and other members of turbomachinery team to achieve design goals 
• Design and analyze rotating and stationary turbomachinery components in the Archimedes turbomachinery.  
  • This will include both hydrodynamics, mechanical, secondary systems, and integrated analysis of the turbomachinery 
  • Next-generation flowpath design and benchmarking of existing designs
  • Work with turbomachinery team to drive pump head and suction performance improvements
• Support manufacturing of turbomachinery components 
  • Work with Manufacturing team to design components for optimal manufacturability 
• Support component level and engine level testing.  
  • Work with other engine teams to ensure that pump testing needs are enveloped in engine development, qualification, and acceptance testing campaigns 
  • Ensure testing satisfies certification requirements 
• Support flight campaign preparations, flight operations, flight data and hardware review, and reuse campaigns 
  • Evaluate early flight data to support certification efforts 
  • Work with vehicle fluids teams to ensure stable pump operation and performance in all phases of flight, leveraging test and other resources
• As a subject matter expert, help define the methodology used across the company for turbomachinery design, analysis, manufacturing, and test. 
• Travel on an occasional basis to engineering offices, test sites, and launch sites to support development of turbomachinery 
• Serve as launch site engineering team liaison on an occasional basis for rapid on-site support 

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:   

• Bachelor’s degree in a mechanical or aerospacen engineering or discipline or equivalent 
• 5+ years of turbomachinery design experience  
• Experience with commercial design and analysis software 
• Fundamental understanding of mechanical design and fluid dynamics principles 

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:  

• Proficiency in GD&T 
• Professional experience with NX, Ansys & BladeGen, StarCCM 
• Rocket turbomachinery experience and flowpath design 
• Experience with compressible flows, cryogenic and real-gas fluids
• Experience with best practices for design, qualification and production 
• Experience with a scrappy develo