Development Engineer II - Neutron

Development Engineer II - Neutron

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

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.

Development Engineers deliver across a broad set of vehicle domains including structural (propellant tanks, interstages, fairings), mechanical (stage separation, aerodynamic control), fluid (pressurant, propellant management, ignition, HVAC), and thermal systems. The fluids-focused Development Engineer II specialization owns the design, build, and testing of fluid systems across the Neutron launch vehicle. This includes all plumbing and hardware between the tanks and engines, translating vehicle-level requirements into fluid networks that deliver aircraft-like reusability and reliability. Engineers model system behavior, size and select components, integrate with propulsion and vehicle systems, and iterate based on data from component, system, and vehicle-level testing.

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.

We are currently looking for candidates with experience in the following areas:

• Composites
• Moving Mechanical Assemblies
• Metallic Structures
• Fluid Routing
• Materials Engineering

What You'll Get To Do:

• Produce & rapidly iterate conceptual designs in CAD;
• Produce detailed design elements including composite inserts, laminates, joint details, metallic interfaces, and secondary structural elements;
• Prepare drawing packages & laminate books, ensuring manufacturability is considered throughout the design process;
• Produce test jigs / fixtures to aid with fabrication, assembly, and development testing of components & assemblies
• Produce design documentation, FMEA, P&IDs, ICDs etc
• Defining design requirements
• Designing prototype parts
• Improving design processes
• Proactively addressing quality issues as they arise

You'll Bring These Qualifications:

• Aerospace, mechanical or mechatronic engineering degree or equivalent qualification
• 3-5 years designing high performance mechanical systems
• Experience with CAD software such as NX (preferred), Fibersim (preferred), Solidworks, CATIA
• 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
• Have tenacity, a can-do attitude, and the ability to think quickly and make accurate judgements

These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have:

• Strong understanding of composites engineering fundamentals (mechanics of materials, classical lamination theory, material property characterization, design best practices, analysis methods, and manufacturing processes)
• Experience in one of the following domain areas:
  • Cryogenic systems
  • Pressurized systems
  • Mechanical moving assemblies
  • Fluid Systems
• Hands-on composites manufacturing experience