Senior Engineer, Turbomachinery

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations. Our Electron rocket has provided reliable access to orbit since 2018, becoming one of the most frequently launched rockets in the world. Neutron will be our next rocket on the launch pad, an advanced 13-tonne payload class, reusable rocket to launch the mega constellations of the future. Our space systems business includes our extensive line of satellites and components that have enabled more than 1,700 missions including the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA Psyche Mission, Artemis I, Mars Ingenuity helicopter, and more.

Join our pioneering team and launch your career to new heights!

NEUTRON

Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program. If you’re interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re-usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!

SENIOR ENGINEER, TURBOMACHINERY

The Senior Engineer, Turbomachinery position is based out of Rocket Lab’s headquarters in Long Beach, CA. This role is responsible for the design and development of the turbomachinery hardware for the Archimedes engine and will provide the opportunity for full life cycle ownership of clean sheet turbopump design. You will support the Neutron and Archimedes teams, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Responsible engineer of significant turbomachinery components/systems
  • Drive design, manufacturing, testing, and flight to meet cost, life, reusability, and reliability milestones
  • Work with other teams and other members of turbomachinery team to achieve design goals
• Design and analyze rotating and stationary turbomachinery components in the Archimedes turbomachinery.
  • This will include both hydrodynamics, mechanical, secondary systems, and integrated analysis of the turbomachinery
• Support manufacturing of turbomachinery components
  • Work with Manufacturing to identify critical capabilities and capital requirements
  • Work with Manufacturing team to design components for optimal manufacturability
  • Evaluate and resolve manufacturing issues for prototype manufacturing studies as well as at-rate manufacturing
• Support component level and engine level testing.
  • Define and drive testing campaigns to ensure performance and reliability requirements are met.
  • Work with Test team to ensure test capabilities meet needs for pump requirement verification
  • Work with other engine teams to ensure that pump testing needs are enveloped in engine development, qualification, and acceptance testing campaigns
  • Ensure testing satisfies certification requirements
• Support flight campaign preparations, flight operations, flight data and hardware review, and reuse campaigns
  • Evaluate early flight data to support certification efforts
  • Develop and evaluate recurring flight data review templates to monitor hardware health
• As a subject matter expert, help define the methodology used across the company for turbomachinery design, analysis, manufacturing, and test.
• Travel on an occasional basis to engineering offices, test sites, and launch sites to support development of turbomachinery
• Serve as launch site engineering team liaison on an occasional basis for rapid on-site support

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or discipline or equivalent
• 5+ years of turbomachinery design experience
• Experience with commercial analysis software
• Fundamental understanding of mechanical design principles

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Proficiency in GD&T
• Professional experience with NX, Ansys,
• Rocket turbomachinery experience
• Experience with best practices for design, qualification and production
• Experience with a scrappy development environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to travel and communicate outside of work hours
• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the California Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience.

Base salary is only one part of Rocket Lab’s compensation package for this role. You may be eligible for company stock, stock options, or cash incentives, and can purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab’s Employee Stock Purchase Program. Employee benefits may also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)$90,000—$160,000 USD

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

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 (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR

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Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Biow at

This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States’ International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here