Spacecraft Thermal Engineer II Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine.
The Role
Based in Long Beach, CA, you'll be responsible for overseeing 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 required for internal leadership, 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, mechanical, or other engineering discipline
- 2+ years of thermal engineering experience
- U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements (ITAR)
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's or PhD in aerospace, mechanical, or other engineering discipline
- Strong background in heat transfer
- Experience with thermal systems and passive thermal management techniques
- Familiarity with Siemens NX and Teamcenter
- 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/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 and Benefits
Base salary: $100,800 to $126,000 USD. Total compensation (base and equity): $110,875 to $143,625 USD.
Benefits include company stock and Employee Stock Purchase Program (15% discount), medical (HMO, PPO, HDHP with HSA contribution), dental, vision, 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, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.