Stage Fluids Engineer II Verified today
About This Role
As a Stage Fluids Engineer II, you own the design, build, and test of fluid systems across the Neutron launch vehicle. The Fluid Systems department owns all plumbing and fluid systems between the tanks and the engines. Your work will turn vehicle-level requirements into a fluid network that enables Neutron to operate with aircraft-like reusability and reliability.
What You Will Do
- Design plumbing systems, components, and their secondary structures
- Analyze systems and components in the harsh and dynamic environments of launch
- Model systems to characterize and predict system behavior at all conditions
- Test and qualify systems and components
- Manage requirements, realization, and implementation of systems in the larger launch vehicle context
- Integrate hardware into the vehicle
- Review data from component, system, and vehicle level testing to optimize and improve future designs
- Collaborate with components, propulsion, structures, mechanical, operations, and flight software teams to develop and define vehicle functions
- Create tools to enhance the team's analysis capabilities, streamline workflow and optimize launch operations
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or relevant engineering discipline
- 2+ years of experience in a hardware-rich environment
- Strong understanding of how to start, execute, and complete an engineering project
- Strong engineering fundamentals in fluid dynamics and thermodynamics
- Working knowledge of how to select and design around fluid components such as valves, pressure vessels, flex elements, and fittings
- Working knowledge of DfM/DfAM, machining processes, and welding processes
- Working knowledge of integration processes and quality control relevant to fluid systems and components
Preferred Qualifications
- 4+ years of experience in a fast-paced aerospace environment where you have completed difficult projects while collaborating effectively with other key groups
- Strong understanding of how to design for classic aerospace constraints: minimizing mass while maintaining manufacturability, function, and low costs
- Ability to read, write, and manage plumbing and instrumentation diagrams
- Strong understanding of mechanical drafting and GD&T
- Experience working with a distributed team across the globe
- Advanced degree in a fluid mechanics-heavy field
- Experience with oxygen, methane, and/or cryogenic systems
- Experience using fluids analysis tools such as REFPROP, AMESIM, and/or GFSSP, or have built your own fluid network solver in Python, Excel, or other tools
- Experience using mechanical analysis tools such as ANSYS or NASTRAN
- Experience using Siemens NX and Teamcenter
- Proven ability to practically apply engineering fundamentals to solve real, complex problems
Compensation
- Base Salary: $100,800 - $151,200 USD
- Total Compensation (base and equity): $110,875 - $168,825 USD
- Company stock as part of total compensation package
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount on company stock
- 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
- Employee discounts
Requirements and Work Environment
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
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.