Senior Aerodynamics Analyst – Hypersonics CFD Lead

Rocket Lab Corporation; Auckland; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Auckland, New Zealand seeks a Senior Aerodynamics Analyst to join the Thermofluids Analysis team. You will predict aerodynamics and aerothermal environments through all mission phases for the Neutron program, working with design and test engineers to iterate concepts and meet strict performance margins.

You will execute CFD studies, model plumes, analyze data, and contribute to safe vehicle operations and flight testing, using Python and industry CFD tools in a fast-paced,

Qualifications

• A degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or similar field
• 5+ years industry experience, ideally from the 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 using Python
• Demonstrated ability executing to changing deadlines in a high-pressure and fast-paced work environment

Responsibilities

• Generate aerotables and characterise vehicle performance across stability, control authority, loads and pressure distributions
• Perform, validate, and document CFD analyses of external flow across hypersonic, transonic and subsonic regimes
• Model plumes and plume interactions and define re-entry architecture, including ballistic coefficients and ConOps
• Collaborate with design and test engineers to iterate concepts and establish test requirements
• Work with the GNC team to enable safe landing and recovery of Neutron’s 1st Stage
• Process and interpret ground test and flight data, confirm bounds and resolve sensor issues

Skills

CFD Fluent

CFD CFX

STAR-CCM+

Python programming

Education

Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering degree

Tools

NX CAD

Teamcenter

Thermal Desktop

THERMICA

NX SST

Job description

Rocket Lab in Auckland, New Zealand seeks a Senior Aerodynamics Analyst to join the Thermofluids Analysis team. You will predict aerodynamics and aerothermal environments through all mission phases for the Neutron program, working with design and test engineers to iterate concepts and meet strict performance margins.

You will execute CFD studies, model plumes, analyze data, and contribute to safe vehicle operations and flight testing, using Python and industry CFD tools in a fast-paced,