Space Systems Structural Analyst – Thermal & Vibration

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

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite gym

Stock purchase program

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation

Parental leave

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA, is seeking a Structural Analyst II or Senior Structural Analyst I to support the Neutron program. You will develop analytical models, perform multiphysics analyses, and collaborate with design teams to validate hardware against vehicle requirements.

The role requires a strong background in thermal, structural, vibrational, and life assessment methods, plus proficiency in FEM tools and programming languages like Python/Matlab/C++.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or related field.
• 2+ years of experience performing thermal, structural and vibration analysis for aerospace hardware.
• Strong foundation in thermal, structural, vibration and life assessment analysis best practices.
• Strong foundation in ductile and brittle material failure theories.
• Familiarity with 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, 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.

Skills

FEM analysis

Python

Matlab

C++

VBA

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Graduate degree (MS) in related field

Tools

ANSYS Workbench

NASGRO

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA, is seeking a Structural Analyst II or Senior Structural Analyst I to support the Neutron program. You will develop analytical models, perform multiphysics analyses, and collaborate with design teams to validate hardware against vehicle requirements.

The role requires a strong background in thermal, structural, vibrational, and life assessment methods, plus proficiency in FEM tools and programming languages like Python/Matlab/C++.