Senior Development Engineer - Composites

BUILDING NEUTRON AT ROCKET LAB:

Rocket Lab’s Neutron team is responsible for bringing our new large rocket Neutron and its launch and test sites to life. From designing and testing Neutron’s structures and components, to firing up its new Archimedes engines, to setting up Neutron’s launch pads and test sites across the United States, joining the Neutron team is your opportunity to help launch a new large rocket for the very first time. 

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

Development Engineers deliver across a broad set of vehicle domains including structural (i.e. Propellant tanks, interstage, fairings), mechanical (i.e. stage separation, landing, aerodynamic control), fluid (i.e. pressurant, propellant management, ignition, HVAC), and thermal (i.e. thermal protection) systems. 

This role will work directly with analysis and manufacturing engineers to produce concepts, detailed designs, and drawing packages for metallic and composites components & assemblies and to perform development & qualification tests, refine designs, and ensure Neutron’s materials, components, and assemblies meet their functional and performance requirements.   

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Produce & rapidly iterate conceptual designs in CAD for primary and secondary metallic and composite structures and mechanisms across the Neutron launch vehicle
• Design elements including composite inserts, laminates, joint details, metallic interfaces, and secondary structural elements, working closely with analysts to ensure designs are appropriately sized and structural & thermal requirements are met
• Prepare drawing packages & laminate books, working directly with the production team to ensure design for manufacture is maintained throughout the process
• Lead the testing structures and mechanisms, including composites and metallic components, and integrated structural, mechanical and fluids assemblies
• Develop test plans, monitor test activities, and post-process and document test data to verify functional and performance requirements
• Develop and execute test activities to characterise structural materials, interfaces, and subcomponents 
• Produce test jigs / fixtures to aid with fabrication, assembly, and development testing of components & assemblies
• Proactively identify and solve technical challenges to allow projects to proceed safely and at pace
• Feed testing outcomes back into the design and manufacture process to promote continuous improvement
• Mentor, and technically assist junior engineers

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Aerospace, mechanical or mechatronic engineering degree or equivalent qualification 
• 5+ years developing and testing high performance mechanical systems, with a focus on structures and/or mechanisms 
• Experience with instrumentation selection, setup, post-processing, and interpretation of static & dynamic test data (load cells, accelerometers, strain gauges, pressure transducers etc.) 
• The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines 
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well within a team environment 
• Sound analytical skills and the ability to see the big picture and making connections and appropriate decisions 
• Heavy emphasis on achievement and details – getting things done efficiently, effectively and to the highest quality standards
• Have tenacity, a can-do attitude, and the ability to think quickly and make accurate judgements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience in one of the following domain areas:
  • Composites structures
  • Large scale structural testing
  • Cryogenic systems
  • Pressurised systems 
• Experience with CAD software such as NX (preferred), Solidworks, CATIA
• Experience using Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter (preferred), Windchill, or similar
• Experience using National Instruments data acquisition systems  
• Programming in C+, MATLAB, LabVIEW or other
• Experience writing / reviewing safety risk assessments