Spacecraft Thermal Engineer: Modeling & Testing

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is hiring a Spacecraft Thermal Engineer I/II based at our Long Beach, CA headquarters. You will oversee thermal design, analysis, testing and validation for our space vehicles, partnering with design and test engineers to optimize thermal performance and drive design improvements. U.S.

citizenship is required for program access. The role covers modeling, trade studies, issue resolution, and collaboration across Space Systems with deliverables for leadership and investors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering.
• 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, resource use, risk, cost, and schedule.
• Identify and resolve thermal design 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 and test matters.

Skills

Thermal engineering

Communication skills

Independent worker

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Master’s or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Tools

NX Space Systems Thermal

ANSYS

Teamcenter

Job description

Rocket Lab is hiring a Spacecraft Thermal Engineer I/II based at our Long Beach, CA headquarters. You will oversee thermal design, analysis, testing and validation for our space vehicles, partnering with design and test engineers to optimize thermal performance and drive design improvements. U.S.

citizenship is required for program access. The role covers modeling, trade studies, issue resolution, and collaboration across Space Systems with deliverables for leadership and investors.