Dynamics and Structures Analyst

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

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.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Every launch starts with a question: will it hold? As a Dynamics & Structural Analyst at Rocket Lab, you'll answer it. Using modelling, simulation, and real flight data, you'll predict the violent vibration, shock, and loads that Electron endures from the pad to orbit and prove our structures can take it. From FEA that optimises dynamic response to post-processing flight data that validates every prediction, your analysis is what turns bold designs into reliable launch vehicles. As part of the Electron team, you will contribute to the analysis, design validation and future improvements of Electron vehicles, while also supporting launch operations, ground systems, and propulsion development.

If it flies, you helped prove it could.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Perform prediction of launch vehicle modal and vibration environments based on finite element analysis, analytical methods and real flight data.
• Contribute to test plan definition of components (such as electronics) and assemblies, support test activities and interpret test results for dynamic testing (random vibration, acoustics, shock)
• Define, process and interpret static and dynamic ground test and flight data using statistical and analytical methods, following closely to industry standards (Random Vibration, Shock, Quasi-Static, Acoustic).
• Working closely with avionics, mechanical, fluids and propulsion team members to ensure the components, structures and assemblies survive the harsh test and flight loads.
• Working closely with GNC to ensure vehicle control stability
• Working closely with production by supporting production efficiency, closing risks and non-conformances.
• Working towards reducing the environments the vehicle is exposed to (Acoustics, Random Vibration, shock) including different forms of isolation.
• Maintain the qualification database and collect documentation of test environments and qualification status for vehicle components and assemblies.
• Support the analysis of primary and secondary structures, including composites and metallic components, and integrated structural assemblies.
• Build, run, validate, post-process and document FE models and simulations (modal, random vibration, sine harmonic, transient and buckling) to calculate design responses and margins to static, dynamic, and thermal loads
• Contribute to test plan definition of primary and secondary structures, support design with iterating through design concepts and test engineers through defining test requirements.
• Specify ground test and flight instrumentation, including sensor type and location, data acquisition and validation.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• A degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or a similar field
• 0–6 years industry experience, ideally from Aerospace, Automotive, Mechatronics, or Marine
• A keen physics-based approach to problem solving, with expertise in structural dynamics and structural mechanics
• Demonstrated expertise with one or more industry-standard structural FEA packages: Nastran (FEMAP), ANSYS, Abaqus, or Optistruct/Hyperworks
• Expertise with engineering programming and data analysis, especially in Python
• Good understanding of dynamics fundamentals/vibration theory.
• Good understanding of material engineering fundamentals (mechanics of materials, design best practices, analysis methods, and manufacturing processes)
• Experience predicting component life and structural margins, including ductile metal failure.
• Comfort working independently and in a team, executing to changing deadlines in a high-pressure environment
• Effective communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues and engineering professionals

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Expertise in vibroacoustic modelling and analysis, and experience with acoustic analysis and testing
• Experience using NX CAD and Teamcenter (or comparable packages) with emphasis on model interrogation and defeaturing
• Experience predicting component life and structural margins, including fatigue, and fracture
• Experience with linear and non-linear buckling (particularly shell buckling)
• Familiarity with non-linear material simulation, including metal plasticity, elastomers, and adhesive joints
• Experience with static and dynamic structural test methods, including Modal Correlation/Characterisation, structural load test, Random Vibration, Sine Burst, Equivalent Sine Input, Force Notching, Shock, and Fixture Evaluation.
• Experience with vibration and shock testing, sensor selection, and data post-processing/interpretation
• Experience in structural analysis of composites (laminate design, joint design, materials characterisation, environmental effects, classical lamination theory, design best practices, analysis methods, and manufacturing processes)
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes, including conventional machining and additive manufacturing
• Familiarity with industry standards (e.g. MIL-STD-1540, GSFC-STD-7000, ECSS-E-HB-32, NASA-STD-5001)

If this sounds like you then apply now.

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 here.

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 Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.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 ITAR Regulations.