Structural Analyst – Neutron Launch Vehicle

Rocket Lab Corp.; Auckland; Remote; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Auckland, New Zealand seeks a Structural Analyst for the Neutron program. You will develop and validate primary and secondary structures for the Neutron launcher, owning designs from concept to completion.

You will collaborate with design, manufacturing, and test teams, perform FE analyses, and help advance manufacturing processes while meeting tight schedules in a dynamic, high‑tech environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or similar field.
• 1+ years’ experience performing structural analysis in high performance applications.
• Strong understanding of composites engineering fundamentals (theory, materials, design, analysis).
• Experience with one or more industry-standard structural FEA packages (NASTRAN, ANSYS, Abaqus, etc.).
• Experience with structural testing of composite components or assemblies.
• Familiarity with composite manufacture and prototyping.
• Ability to work to deadlines in a high-pressured environment.

Responsibilities

• Support analysis of primary/secondary structures, composites, metallic components.
• Build, run, and post-process FE models for design responses under loads.
• Collaborate with design/manufacturing to select materials and build processes.
• Work with test engineers to define test plans and compare data to predictions.
• Develop and document structural analysis methods.
• Identify and solve technical challenges to keep projects on track.
• Mentor junior engineers.

Skills

FEA experience

Composite engineering fundamentals

Structural testing experience

Ability to meet deadlines

Education

Mechanical Engineering degree or similar

Tools

NASTRAN (FEMAP)

ANSYS

Abaqus

Optistruct/Hyperworks

Job description

Rocket Lab in Auckland, New Zealand seeks a Structural Analyst for the Neutron program. You will develop and validate primary and secondary structures for the Neutron launcher, owning designs from concept to completion.

You will collaborate with design, manufacturing, and test teams, perform FE analyses, and help advance manufacturing processes while meeting tight schedules in a dynamic, high‑tech environment.