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. While other companies talk about it, we do it! NEUTRON 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. SENIOR STRUCTURAL ANALYST - NEUTRON Rocket Lab seeks a Senior Structural Analyst to build Neutron: Rocket Lab’s medium lift, reusable launch.
As a Senior Structural Analyst you will work directly with design, manufacturing, and test engineers to develop and validate primary and secondary structures for the Neutron launch vehicle: owning your designs from concept to completion. This role is based in Auckland, New Zealand. WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO: Support the analysis of primary and secondary structures, including composites and metallic components, and integrated structural assemblies Build, run, and post-process FE models to calculate design responses and margins to static, dynamic, and thermal loads Collaborate with design engineers to develop concepts, and manufacturing engineers to identify suitable materials, and define pragmatic build processes Work alongside test engineers to define test plans, monitor test activities, and post-process test data against analytical predictions Develop and document structural analysis methods Proactively identify and solve technical challenges to allow projects to proceed at pace Technically assist junior engineers.
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS: A degree in Mechanical Engineering or similar field 5+ years’ experience performing structural analysis in high performance applications Strong understanding of composites engineering fundamentals (mechanics of materials, classical lamination theory, material property characterization, design best practices, analysis methods, and manufacturing processes) Demonstrated expertise with one or more industry standard structural FEA packages: NASTRAN (FEMAP), ANSYS, Abaqus, Optistruct/Hyperworks etc. Experience with structural testing of composite components or assemblies Familiarity supporting composite manufacture and prototyping The ability to work to deadlines within a high-pressure environment THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: Experience with defect and damage tolerance assessment of composite structures including the disposition of hardware non-conformances Experience in linear and non-linear buckling Experience in composite joint design Experience with sensor selection and data post-processing/ interpretation of static & dynamic structural test (load cells, accelerometers, strain gauges, LVDT’s etc.) Experience with CAD software such as NX (preferred), Fibersim (preferred), Solidworks, CATIA, or similar with a focus on model defeaturing for subsequent analysis Experience using Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter (preferred), Windchill, or similar Hands-on composites manufacturing experience If the above sounds like you 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 h