Senior Spacecraft Thermal Engineer II Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, and expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Space Systems
Our Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and subsystems including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios. The team has enabled more than 1,700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security and defense, 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, board of directors, and investors.
What You'll Do
- 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, 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
- Support other teams and disciplines as necessary
- Identify and research potential vendors of thermal control materials
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline
- 8 or more years of thermal engineering experience in the aerospace industry as a thermal engineer or other hands-on engineering role
- 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
- Familiarity with Siemens NX and Teamcenter, with emphasis on model interrogation and defeaturing
- Demonstrated experience with Thermal Desktop
- Experience planning, executing, and analyzing thermal balance tests
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and build strong working relationships
- 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 scripting languages such as 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: $132,000 to $198,000 USD
- Total Compensation (base and equity): $164,500 to $255,275 USD
- Company stock as part of total compensation package
- 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) retirement plan with company match
- Subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers, discounted gym memberships
- Complimentary snacks and beverages
- 50% employee discount on merchandise
Working Conditions
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work. You may be occasionally exposed to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
Additional Information
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident with current Green Card, lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce.