Senior Thermofluids Analyst

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a space company that provides launch services, spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite parts, and related capabilities, all aimed at expanding access to space. Its vehicles and spacecraft support scientific research, Earth observation, climate-focused missions, national security work, and technology demonstrations.

Electron has grown into one of the most frequently launched U.S. rockets each year and has already placed more than 230 satellites into orbit. In parallel, Rocket Lab is advancing Neutron, a reusable medium-lift launch vehicle built for larger constellation missions. The Space Systems division also develops satellites, payloads, and components, including hardware chosen for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and parts used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Rocket Lab emphasizes action over talk and focuses on execution, teamwork, and innovation.

Neutron Program

The Neutron team is responsible for turning Rocket Lab’s new large launch vehicle and its test and launch infrastructure into reality. That work includes designing and validating structures and components, commissioning the Archimedes engines, and establishing launch pads and test facilities across the United States. This is a chance to help bring a large new rocket to flight for the first time.

Role Overview

The integrated analysis group supports the development and operation of Neutron and Electron through modelling and simulation of dynamics, fluid flow, and thermodynamics. The work may include CFD analysis, coding flow-physics models, and using flight data to better understand vehicle performance and drive improvements.

In this role, you will support analysis, design validation, and ongoing refinements for Rocket Lab’s launch vehicles. Your work will focus on concept development, trade studies, simulations, and performance evaluations for Neutron’s pressurisation, propellant management, and reaction control systems. You will also assess system sizing, propellant depletion, slosh, propellant loading and conditioning, and CONOPS across ascent, descent, and on-orbit phases.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out CFD studies for launch vehicle fluid systems, then verify and record the results. This includes compressible and incompressible flow, two-phase flow, aerodynamics, and choked-flow behaviour.
• Run heat transfer and thermal simulations, including integrated thermal analysis, component-level thermal work, aeroheating response, and thermal protection system specification.
• Perform thermofluid analysis for launch vehicle systems through model creation, numerical studies, material evaluation, and performance improvement work.
• Work closely with design and test engineers to refine concepts, define test needs, and prove positive margins.
• Review ground-test and flight data to confirm MPE limits, identify anomalies, troubleshoot sensor problems, and trace root causes using physical reasoning.
• Take part in peer review activities, prepare method documentation, and support Acceptance, Proto-qualification, and Qualification test levels using approved margining methods.
• Assist subsystem testing by correlating test and analysis results, preparing pre- and post-test reports, and standardising analysis workflows according to industry best practice.
• Create propellant dynamics models covering temperature, gas rejection, and control methods, and help automate the review of test and flight data.

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• At least 5 years of industry experience, preferably in the aerospace, automotive, or marine sectors.
• Strong grounding in physical principles such as heat transfer, electronics, internal flow, and aerodynamics.
• Practical fluid engineering knowledge related to pressure losses, valves, and sensors.
• Hands-on experience with at least one major CFD tool such as Fluent, CFX, or STAR-CCM+.
• Working knowledge of Python and common scientific libraries, including numpy, pandas, scipy, and matplotlib.
• Proven thermal modelling experience for components, thermal networks, and lumped-mass models.
• Experience with experimental test approaches, sensor selection, and post-processing or interpreting data from thermocouples, pressure transducers, accelerometers, strain gauges, microphones, and similar instruments.
• Ability to meet deadlines in a demanding, high-pressure setting.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues and engineering specialists.

Preferred Experience

• Exposure to dynamic thermofluid systems such as slosh, flow instability, and Pogo effects.
• Knowledge of propellant level sensing and control approaches.
• Experience with pumps, pressurisation systems, and cryogenics.
• Understanding of two-phase thermodynamics, cryogenic systems, or refrigeration systems.
• Ability to model compressible gas behaviour in pressure vessels, pressurisation systems, and piping.
• Knowledge of space thermal environments for both orbital and ascent conditions.
• Experience in thermal protection system design, specification, and implementation.
• Familiarity with HVAC system design or analysis.
• Experience with thermal modelling tools such as Thermal Desktop, THERMICA, or NX SST.
• Working familiarity with Solidworks CAD and PDM, or similar systems, especially for model interrogation and defeaturing before analysis.
• Experience developing Python packages and modelling workflows using git, CI, and deployment practices.
• Awareness of industry standards such as MIL-STD-1540, GSFC-STD-7000, ECSS-E-HB-32, and NASA-STD-5001.

What to Expect

Rocket Lab is focused on unlocking the benefits of space for life on Earth. The work is demanding and requires determination, innovation, teamwork, resilience, and a strong commitment to solving difficult problems. The culture values hard work, mutual support, humility, and the ability to operate under pressure and tight timelines.

Important Information

For candidates seeking to work in U.S. offices: Employment is subject to U.S. Government export-control rules, including ITAR. Eligible employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or otherwise able to obtain the necessary approvals from the relevant U.S. authorities.

For candidates seeking to work in New Zealand offices: Background checks are completed before any offer is made. These checks include nationality verification because the role requires access to equipment and data controlled under U.S. ITAR regulations. Under these rules, you may be ineligible if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO country, or if you have an ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.

Rocket Lab is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or harass on protected grounds. This applies to all employment decisions, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, pay, training, leave, and termination.