Senior Combustion Devices Engineer II / Principal Combustion Devices Engineer

About The Role

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. 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.

Senior Combustion Devices Engineer II / Principal Combustion Devices Engineer

Based out of Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Principal/Senior Combustion Devices Engineer will be responsible for the development of one or more combustion devices (preburners, main injectors, thrust chambers assemblies and vacuum nozzles). These devices are an integral portion of the 200,000 lbf Archimedes engine, which operates in a demanding but efficient ox-rich, staged combustion architecture.

• Design, analyze, and perform trades studies to achieve programmatic targets.
• Define requirements, test and flight qualification plans.
• Work with the interface owners, like turbomachinery and engine systems teams, to make a high-end product that could be iterated fast and seamlessly.
• Work with manufacturing and build engineers to design easily manufacturable, cost-effective, beautiful parts.
• Work with the test and launch teams to interpret data and provide solutions to enable a high cadence – of tests, flights and re-flights.

Qualifications

• Senior Combustion Devices Engineer II:
  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent 8+ years of combustion device design experience.
  • In-depth knowledge of combustion and fluid dynamics, heat transfer and structural mechanics.
  • Fundamental understanding of design principals and manufacturing methods.
• Principal Combustion Devices Engineer:
  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent 12+ years of combustion device design experience.
  • In-depth knowledge of combustion and fluid dynamics, heat transfer and structural mechanics.
  • Fundamental understanding of design principals and manufacturing methods.

These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have:

• Master’s or a PhD.
• Advanced proficiency in NX, ANSYS Mechanical, StarCCM, MATLAB and GD&T.
• Proficiency in niche software like: TDK, ROCCID, PERCORP, CEA, ROCETS.
• Reacting flow CFD.
• Expertise in high-speed data/video analysis in time and frequency domains.
• Experience with designing reusable, propulsively landing rocket engines.
• Experience in an iterative and scrappy development environment.

Pay and Benefits

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including: top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Other perks include: Discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts.

Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role. Benefit programs are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

Base Pay Range (CA Only): $113,800—$190,500 USD