STRUCTURAL ENGINEER II - Mission Formulation Long Beach, California, United States
Full time
at Rocket Lab USA
in
New Zealand
Posted on September 28, 2024
Job details
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER II– Mission Formulation
Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems. 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. Our Electron rocket has provided reliable access to orbit since 2018, becoming one of the most frequently launched rockets in the world. Neutron will be our next rocket on the launch pad, an advanced 13-tonne payload class, reusable rocket to launch the mega constellations of the future. Our space systems business includes our extensive line of satellites and components that have enabled more than 1,700 missions including the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA Psyche Mission, Artemis I, Mars Ingenuity helicopter, and more. Join our pioneering team and launch your career to new heights! STRUCTURAL ENGINEER II– Mission Formulation Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Structural Engineer II - Mission Formulation is responsible for structural design, modeling, analyses, testing, and validation of launch vehicle flight hardware and related support equipment for current and prospective Rocket Lab launches and missions. The Structural Engineer II is an integral part of Rocket Lab’s Global Launch Services (GLS) Mission Formulation Team which works closely with other Engineering teams and Production to bring new launch and mission concepts to life. This team is also responsible for the formulation and implementation of classified missions on HASTE and Electron launch vehicles. WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:- 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
- 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
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Prior experience in product lifecycle, inclusive of detailed structural design, analysis, build, integration, and testing of aerospace structures
- Experience with development of aerospace vehicle loads
- Experience with Coupled Loads Analysis (CLA) including building, validation, and coupling of models and conduct of analyses to evaluate a range of flight conditions
- Experience with kinematic analyses of multibody separation dynamics including consideration of separation attitude and rates and recontact/collision avoidance
- Familiarity with structural engineering analysis tools including NASTRAN, ANSYS, Abaqus, Optistruct Hyperworks
- Experience in design and manufacturing of composite and metallic structures
- Fundamental knowledge of additive and traditional manufacturing processes
- Knowledge of key aspects of launch and on-orbit operations as they relate to aerospace vehicle structural modeling and analyses
- Experience instrumenting hardware using strain gauges, thermocouples, and accelerometers to collect data to anchor analytical results
- Experience with planning, execution, and data analysis of structural testing for launch and space mission applications
- Creative, analytical, and good at problem solving
- Ability to work on own initiative and to plan daily workflow to complete higher level tasks
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships
- Experience working on fast-paced design and development projects
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
- Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing.
- Must be physically able to commute to buildings
- Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise.
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