Turbomachinery Engineer

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. 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 become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. 

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. 

TURBOMACHINERY ENGINEER

The Turbomachinery Engineer position will be based out of Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA. This future role is responsible for the design and development of the turbomachinery hardware for the Archimedes engine and will provide the opportunity for full life cycle ownership of clean sheet turbopump design. You will support the Neutron and Archimedes teams, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors. 

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:  

• Responsible engineer of significant turbomachinery components/systems 

• Drive design, manufacturing, testing, and flight to meet cost, life, reusability, and reliability milestones 

• Work with other teams and other members of turbomachinery team to achieve design goals 

• Design and analyze rotating and stationary turbomachinery components in the Archimedes turbomachinery.  

• This will include both hydrodynamics, mechanical, secondary systems, and integrated analysis of the turbomachinery 

• Next-generation flowpath design and benchmarking of existing designs

• Work with turbomachinery team to drive pump head and suction performance improvements

• Support manufacturing of turbomachinery components 

• Work with Manufacturing team to design components for optimal manufacturability 

• Support component level and engine level testing.  

• Work with other engine teams to ensure that pump testing needs are enveloped in engine development, qualification, and acceptance testing campaigns 

• Ensure testing satisfies certification requirements 

• Support flight campaign preparations, flight operations, flight data and hardware review, and reuse campaigns 

• Evaluate early flight data to support certification efforts 

• Work with vehicle fluids teams to ensure stable pump operation and performance in all phases of flight, leveraging test and other resources

• As a subject matter expert, help define the methodology used across the company for turbomachinery design, analysis, manufacturing, and test. 

• Travel on an occasional basis to engineering offices, test sites, and launch sites to support development of turbomachinery 

• Serve as launch site engineering team liaison on an occasional basis for rapid on-site support 

(Please note: This position can be hired at the Level II**, Senior Engineer I,  or Senior** Engineer II level)

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A TURBOMACHINERY ENGINEER II:   

• Bachelor’s degree in a mechanical or aerospacen engineering or discipline or equivalent 
• 2+ years of turbomachinery design experience  
• Experience with commercial design and analysis software 
• Fundamental understanding of mechanical design and fluid dynamics principles 

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR TURBOMACHINERY ENGINEER I:   

• Bachelor’s degree in a mechanical or aerospacen engineering or discipline or equivalent 
• 5+ years of turbomachinery design experience  
• Experience with commercial design and analysis software 
• Fundamental understanding of mechanical design and fluid dynamics principles 

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR TURBOMACHINERY ENGINEER II:   

• Bachelor’s degree in a mechanical or aerospacen engineering or discipline or equivalent 
• 8+ years of turbomachinery design experience  
• Experience with commercial design and analysis software 
• Fundamental understanding of mechanical design and fluid dynamics principles 

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:  

• Proficiency in GD&T 
• Professional experience with NX, Ansys & BladeGen, StarCCM 
• Rocket turbomachinery experience and flowpath design 
• Experience with compressible flows, cryogenic and real-gas fluids
• Experience with best practices for design, qualification and production 
• Experience with a scrappy development environment 

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab.  Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including: top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include: Discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts.

Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role. Benefit programs are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)

$126,000—$176,000 USD

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.