Senior Stage Fluids Engineer – Aerospace Launch

Rocket Lab USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 162,000 - 243,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EV charging subsidy

Onsite fitness centers

Discounted gym memberships

Snacks and beverages

Merchandise discount

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Principal Stage Fluids Engineer to own the design, build, test and review of fluid systems for the Neutron launch vehicle. You will design plumbing systems and integrate hardware across propulsion, structures, and software teams, ensuring aircraft-like reusability and reliability.

The role requires 12+ years in a hardware-rich environment, a mechanical engineering degree, and experience with fluid components, DfM/DFAM, and GD&T.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 12+ years in a hardware-rich environment.
• Experience designing and using fluid components (valves, pressure vessels, fittings).
• Experience with DfM/DFAM, machining, welding; understanding of mechanical drafting and GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Design plumbing systems, components, and secondary structures; review peers’ designs.
• Analyze systems in launch environments; review structural analyses of fluid components.
• Model systems to predict behavior across conditions; improve modelling efficacy.
• Test and qualify systems, components, and modules.
• Manage requirements, realization, and implementation within the launch vehicle context.
• Integrate hardware into the vehicle; align with teams across propulsion, structures, operations, and software.
• Review test data to optimize future designs.

Skills

Fluid design

DfM/DFAM

Machining

Welding

GD&T

Mechanical drafting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

Job description

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Principal Stage Fluids Engineer to own the design, build, test and review of fluid systems for the Neutron launch vehicle. You will design plumbing systems and integrate hardware across propulsion, structures, and software teams, ensuring aircraft-like reusability and reliability.

The role requires 12+ years in a hardware-rich environment, a mechanical engineering degree, and experience with fluid components, DfM/DFAM, and GD&T.