Senior Structural Analyst I

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Health insurance

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Rocket Lab’s Senior Structural Analyst I role in Long Beach, CA, supports the Neutron program and Propulsion department. You’ll develop analytical models and perform multiphysics analyses to drive vehicle design, collaborating with the design team and documenting methods and results for reviews and qualification.

You’ll apply FEM, thermal and vibration expertise to hardware, instrument experiments, and contribute to fast-paced development with clear, standardized practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience performing thermal, structural and vibration analysis for aerospace hardware.
• Mastery in thermal, structural, vibration and life assessment analysis best practices.
• Mastery in ductile and brittle material failure theories.
• Prior experience instrumenting hardware using strain gauges, thermocouples, and accelerometers to anchor FEM results.
• Proficiency in finite element analysis using commercially available software packages.
• Proficiency using one or more of the following programming languages: Python, Matlab, VBA, and/or C++

Responsibilities

• Create system, subassemblies, and individual parts analytical models.
• Perform multiphysics structural, thermal, vibration analyses.
• Collaborate with the design team to finalize hardware designs to meet vehicle requirements.
• Generate and maintain clear documentation of all performed analyses, including inputs, methods, and results to ensure proper communication during hardware reviews and qualification.
• Support stage, engine and sub-system testing through data review and provide recommendations based on data and analysis.
• Develop standard practices for structural analysis and common hand calculations to expedite hardware development.
• Provide continued direction to the engineering team on highest value analysis and results deliverable schedule as the program evolves.

Skills

Finite element analysis

Multiphysics analysis

Thermal analysis

Vibration analysis

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical/aerospace engineering or related field

Tools

ANSYS Workbench

NASGRO

Python

Matlab

VBA

C++

Job description

About Rocket Lab Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

About Rocket Lab Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

NEUTRON Rocket Lab’s Neutron team is responsible for bringing our new large rocket Neutron and its launch and test sites to life. From designing and testing Neutron’s structures and components, to firing up its new Archimedes engines, to setting up Neutron’s launch pads and test sites across the United States, joining the Neutron team is your opportunity to help launch a new large rocket for the very first time.

SENIOR STRUCTURAL ANALYST I The Structural Analyst position is based out of Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA. The candidate will support a high performing team of propulsion engineers with a broad range of expertise covering rocket engine combustion devices, turbomachinery, and other hardware. You will support the Neutron program and Propulsion department with solutions to tough technical problems and drive the vehicle design using analytical methods.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Create system, subassemblies, and individual parts analytical models.
• Perform multiphysics structural, thermal, vibration, fatigue, and fracture analyses.
• Collaborate with the design team to finalize hardware designs to meet vehicle requirements.
• Generate and maintain clear documentation of all performed analyses, including inputs, methods, and results to ensure proper communication during hardware reviews and qualification.
• Support stage, engine and sub-system testing through data review and provide recommendations based on data and analysis.
• Develop standard practices for structural analysis and common hand calculations to expedite hardware development.
• Provide continued direction to the engineering team on highest value analysis and results deliverable schedule as the program evolves.

QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS SENIOR STRUCTURAL ANALYST I:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineeringor related field.
• 5+ years of experience performing thermal, structural and vibration analysis for aerospace hardware.
• Mastery in thermal, structural, vibration and life assessment analysis best practices.
• Mastery in ductile and brittle material failure theories.
• Prior experience instrumenting hardware using strain gauges, thermocouples, and accelerometers to anchor FEM results.
• Proficiency in finite element analysis using commercially available software packages.
• Proficiency using one or more of the following programming languages: Python, Matlab, VBA, and/or C++

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Graduate degree with 3+ years of experience.
• Proficiency using ANSYS Workbench and NASGRO.
• Familiarity with liquid engine qualification and certification using NASA-STDs 5012, 5019
• Prior experience analyzing rocket engine combustion devices and turbo pump components.
• Experience with supporting failure investigations
• Experience with additively manufactured materials, part design and analysis
• Experience working in a fast-paced development program

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance. Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company. Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

Total Compensation (base and equity): $135,475 USD - $208,475 USD

Base Salary: $115,200 USD - $172,800 USD

What To Expect

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important Information

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.