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Full-Time

Structural Engineer II

Mission Formulation

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Rocket Lab USA

Rocket Lab USA

1,001-5,000 employees

Provides launch services and spacecraft solutions

Consulting
Hardware
Industrial & Manufacturing
Aerospace

Compensation Overview

$80k - $130.9kAnnually

+ Equity + Benefits

Junior, Mid

Long Beach, CA, USA

US Citizenship Required

Category
Structural Engineering
Architecture & Civil Engineering
Required Skills
CAD
Data Analysis
SolidWorks
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or other related technical discipline
  • 2+ years of experience in mechanical engineering
  • Fundamental knowledge of structures strength, stability, and fatigue failure mechanisms
  • Experience using ANSYS Workbench, Femap/NASTRAN or similar for structural analyses
  • Experience performing finite element analysis (FEA)
  • Experience with analysis and sizing of structures to meet requirements such as quasi-static loading, acoustic, vibration, and shock conditions
  • Practical knowledge of GD&T
  • Experience with CAD software such as NX (preferred), Fibersim, Solidworks, CATIA, or similar
  • Experience with Teamcenter or other Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system
  • Experience with engineering programming, scripting, and data analyses in Python, MATLAB or similar
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD US Government Secret security clearance
Responsibilities
  • Take full ownership of the development, detailed design, modelling, and structural analyses of launch vehicle and spacecraft hardware
  • Conduct structural design trade studies that balance performance margins, resource use, risk, cost, and schedule
  • Work closely with design and systems engineers to define requirements, iterate through design concepts, and demonstrate overall system performance
  • Define and execute structural testing as needed to validate designs and performance vs. requirements
  • Analyze test and flight data to correlate models and improve model fidelity
  • Collaborate with internal manufacturing team to support build and integration of hardware, as well as the development of internal processes
  • Document analyses and designs including inputs, methods, and results as needed for presentation at design and test reviews and for hardware implementation
  • Liaise with Program, Engineering, and Customer teams on structural design, performance, and test issues and support other teams/disciplines as necessary

Rocket Lab provides comprehensive space solutions, including launch services, spacecraft components, and satellite management. Their main products are the Electron launch vehicle, which is designed for small satellite launches, and the Photon satellite platform, which supports various missions, including those for NASA. The Electron rocket has gained popularity, becoming the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket since its debut in 2018, successfully delivering over 100 satellites into orbit for various sectors. Rocket Lab differentiates itself from competitors by offering a streamlined approach to accessing space, with multiple launch sites and a focus on affordability and reliability. The company's goal is to make space more accessible and to support a wide range of missions, from national security to scientific exploration.

Company Stage

IPO

Total Funding

$1.5B

Headquarters

Long Beach, California

Founded

2006

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

14%

1 year growth

31%

2 year growth

80%
Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • The expansion in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with a $70 million investment and creation of 100 new jobs, indicates strong growth and job opportunities.
  • Significant investments from firms like Verus Capital Partners and Susquehanna Fundamental Investments reflect strong market confidence in Rocket Lab's future.
  • Government funding, including $41 million from the Chips Act and $44 million from New Mexico, bolsters Rocket Lab's financial stability and capacity for innovation.

What critics are saying

  • The competitive landscape of the space industry, with major players like SpaceX, could pressure Rocket Lab to continuously innovate to maintain its market position.
  • Delays or failures in the development of the Neutron launch vehicle could impact Rocket Lab's ability to capture larger payload markets.

What makes Rocket Lab USA unique

  • Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually, showcasing a proven track record of reliability and success.
  • The company's Photon spacecraft platform has been selected for high-profile NASA missions, including those to the Moon and Mars, setting it apart from competitors.
  • Rocket Lab's dual launch sites in New Zealand and Virginia provide operational flexibility and increased launch frequency, a strategic advantage over competitors with fewer launch sites.