Thermofluids Engineer – CFD & Thermal Modelling

Rocket Lab USA; Auckland; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab seeks a Thermofluids Analyst to model internal thermodynamics and fluids for Electron and Neutron vehicles. Based in Auckland, you will own propellant delivery, tank pressurisation, and RCS flow modelling, while advancing thermal designs for ground, flight, and space environments.

You will work with design and test engineers to push margins, process flight data, and develop design guidelines. A physics-first approach and Python fluency are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or equivalent.
• Minimum 1+ years in aerospace, automotive, or marine fields.
• Strong physics/first-principles approach to problem solving.
• Experience with CFD packages: Fluent, CFX, STAR-CCM+.
• Proficient in Python (numpy, pandas, scipy, matplotlib).
• Able to perform under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Own propellant delivery and management, perform CFD of internal fluid systems.
• Design thermal systems and perform heat transfer simulations for ground, flight, and in-space ops.
• Collaborate with design and test engineers to validate concepts and margins.
• Process and interpret ground test and flight data to verify MPE bounds and sensor configs.

Skills

1+ years experience

Physics-based problem solving

Python programming

Ability to meet deadlines

Education

Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering degree

Tools

Fluent

CFX

STAR-CCM+

NX CAD

Teamcenter

Job description

Rocket Lab seeks a Thermofluids Analyst to model internal thermodynamics and fluids for Electron and Neutron vehicles. Based in Auckland, you will own propellant delivery, tank pressurisation, and RCS flow modelling, while advancing thermal designs for ground, flight, and space environments.

You will work with design and test engineers to push margins, process flight data, and develop design guidelines. A physics-first approach and Python fluency are essential.