Senior Aerodynamics Analyst: CFD & Hypersonics Expert

Rocket Lab; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Auckland, New Zealand, seeks a Senior Aerodynamics Analyst to join our Thermofluids Analysis team. You will predict aerodynamics and aerothermal environments for Electron and Neutron across mission phases, working with CFD tools and cross-functional teams.

Based in Auckland, you will generate aerotables, validate CFD analyses, model plumes, and collaborate with design/test engineers to drive positive margins and robust vehicle performance.

Qualifications

• A degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or similar field.
• 5+ years industry experience, ideally from Aerospace, Automotive, or Marine industries.
• A keen physics and first principles-based approach to problem solving.
• Expertise with CFD packages: Fluent, CFX, STAR-CCM+.
• Experience in engineering programming, especially Python (numpy, pandas, scipy, matplotlib).
• Demonstrated ability to meet changing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Generate aerotables and characterise vehicle performance (stability, control, loads, pressure).
• Perform, validate CFD analyses of external flow across hypersonic to subsonic regimes.
• Model plumes and define re-entry architecture and margins.
• Collaborate with design and test engineers to iterate concepts and tests.
• Support GNC to enable safe landing and recovery of Neutron's 1st Stage.
• Process and interpret ground test and flight data, ensure data quality.

Skills

CFD Experience

Python Programming

Aero Analysis

Education

Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Fluent

CFX

STAR-CCM+

Job description

Rocket Lab in Auckland, New Zealand, seeks a Senior Aerodynamics Analyst to join our Thermofluids Analysis team. You will predict aerodynamics and aerothermal environments for Electron and Neutron across mission phases, working with CFD tools and cross-functional teams.

Based in Auckland, you will generate aerotables, validate CFD analyses, model plumes, and collaborate with design/test engineers to drive positive margins and robust vehicle performance.