Senior Spacecraft Thermal Engineer I Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. The Space Systems team has delivered more than 1,700 missions for interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing, and national security, working with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
The Role
Based in Long Beach, CA, you will oversee the thermal design, analysis, testing, and validation of Rocket Lab's space vehicles. You'll perform thermal modeling and data analysis while working closely with test and design engineers to capture vehicle thermal performance and provide input for design improvements. You will support the Space Systems organization with deliverables for internal leadership, the board of directors, and investors.
What You'll Do
- Complete thermal modeling and analysis of vehicles
- Conduct thermal design trade studies that balance performance margins, resource use, 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 all levels of program and engineering staff on thermal design and test matters
- Identify and research potential vendors of thermal control materials
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline
- 5+ years of thermal engineering experience in the aerospace industry
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's or PhD in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline
- Strong background in heat transfer
- Experience with thermal systems and passive thermal management techniques
- Siemens NX and Teamcenter experience, with emphasis on model interrogation and defeaturing
- Demonstrated experience with Thermal Desktop
- Experience planning, executing, and analyzing thermal balance tests
- Experience with constant conductance and variable conductance heat pipes
- Experience with multi-layer insulation design, fabrication, installation, and test
- Experience with 0-D and 1-D thermal and fluid networks
- Familiarity with Python and MATLAB
- Familiarity with thermal engineering tools such as NX Space Systems Thermal, ANSYS, SINDA, and THERMICA
- Knowledge of launch and on-orbit operations
- Familiarity with orbital mechanics and attitude dynamics related to thermal analysis
Compensation
- Base salary: $115,200 to $158,400 USD
- Total compensation (base and equity): $135,475 to $194,075 USD
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits include company stock as part of total compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, medical plans (HMO, PPO, zero cost HDHP with 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, 401(k) with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and other employee discounts.
Working Conditions
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.