Senior Dynamics Analyst: Vibration & Flight Data

Rocket Lab Corporation; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Dynamics Analyst to join the Neutron program in Auckland, New Zealand. You will lead analysis, design validation, and improvement of the Neutron launch vehicle, predicting loads and environments, supporting testing, and specifying instrumentation.

You will collaborate with avionics, mechanical, fluids, and propulsion teams throughout conceptual design to integration and launch.

Qualifications

• A degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or a similar field.
• 5+ years industry experience in Aerospace, Automotive, or Marine environments preferred.
• Demonstrated physics-based approach to problem solving.
• Experience with sensor selection and data post-processing/interpretation (accelerometers, strain gauges, thermocouples).
• Experience with static and dynamic structural test methods including Modal Characterization, Acoustics, Random vibration, Shock.
• Proficiency in engineering programming and data analysis, especially Python.
• Experience with FEA packages: Femap/NX Nastran, Simcenter/NX Nastran, Abaqus, Optistruct/HyperWorks.
• Comfort meeting changing deadlines in a high-pressure environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform prediction of launch vehicle vibration environments based on finite element analysis and analytical methods.
• Contribute the test plan definition, support test activities, and post-process test results for dynamic testing (random vibration, acoustics, shock).
• Define suitable sensors (type and location) to monitor in-flight environments and post-process data to verify correlation with numerical predictions.
• Work closely with avionics, mechanical, fluids, and propulsion teams to determine mounting strategies for vehicle and ground system components.
• Collect documentation of test environments and qualification status for vehicle components.

Skills

Python

Sensor data post-processing

Static/dynamic testing

FEA modelling

Physics-based thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering degree

Tools

Femap/NX Nastran

Simcenter/NX Nastran

Abaqus

Optistruct/HyperWorks

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Dynamics Analyst to join the Neutron program in Auckland, New Zealand. You will lead analysis, design validation, and improvement of the Neutron launch vehicle, predicting loads and environments, supporting testing, and specifying instrumentation.

You will collaborate with avionics, mechanical, fluids, and propulsion teams throughout conceptual design to integration and launch.