Spacecraft Thermal Engineer I — Shape Spaceflight Performance

Rocket Lab USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock purchase program

Industry-leading medical plans

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and holidays

401(k) with company match

EV charging subsidies

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Spacecraft Thermal Engineer I to oversee thermal design, analysis, testing, and validation for Rocket Lab space vehicles. You will perform thermal modeling, collaborate with design and test engineers, and contribute to board presentations and investor updates.

You will support the Space Systems organization with deliverables required for leadership and external stakeholders, contributing to the thermal performance of missions from design through testing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other engineering degree.
• Thermal engineering experience.
• U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Complete thermal modeling and analysis of vehicles.
• Conduct thermal design trade studies balancing performance margins, resources, risk, cost, and schedule.
• Identify and resolve thermal design, acceptance, and performance issues for space vehicle components and assemblies.
• Design and execute thermal tests for space vehicle components and assemblies.
• Perform thermal model validation using test and in-flight data.
• Liaise with program and engineering staff on thermal design/testing matters and support other teams.

Skills

Thermal engineering experience

Scripting with Python/MATLAB

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Master's or PhD in aerospace/mechanical engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

Thermal Desktop

NX Space Systems Thermal

ANSYS

SINDA

THERMICA

Job description

Rocket Lab USA in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Spacecraft Thermal Engineer I to oversee thermal design, analysis, testing, and validation for Rocket Lab space vehicles. You will perform thermal modeling, collaborate with design and test engineers, and contribute to board presentations and investor updates.

You will support the Space Systems organization with deliverables required for leadership and external stakeholders, contributing to the thermal performance of missions from design through testing.