Aerodynamics Analyst

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a comprehensive aerospace company designing rockets, spacecraft, and essential subsystems that support global connectivity, security, and expand humanity's exploration to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We prioritize speed, tangible hardware development for impactful missions, and routinely turning ambitious goals into reality.

Position Overview

The Neutron team at Rocket Lab is charged with launching the new large Neutron rocket and establishing its launch and test infrastructure primarily across the United States. This team handles everything from structural and component design/testing to engine firing and site setup. The Aerodynamics Analyst will join the Thermofluids Analysis team based in Auckland, New Zealand, focusing on aerodynamic and aerothermal environment predictions for the Electron and Neutron rockets throughout all mission phases.

Key Responsibilities

• Produce aerodynamic data tables and analyze vehicle performance parameters such as stability, control effectiveness, loads, and pressure distribution, particularly on control surfaces.
• Conduct, validate, and document computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies covering hypersonic, transonic, and subsonic regimes, assessing aerodynamic and heating conditions, transient behaviors, and flow separation phenomena.
• Model rocket plume behaviors and interactions, including base heating, plume-induced flow separation, and impingement effects; define re-entry strategies involving ballistic coefficients, operational concepts, and venting logistics.
• Collaborate closely with design and test engineering teams to refine concepts, determine testing requirements, and ensure robust design margins via simulation and physical testing.
• Coordinate with the Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) group to facilitate the safe landing and recovery of Neutron's first stage.
• Analyze and interpret data from ground and flight testing, including verifying maximum probable error bounds, identifying anomalies, and troubleshooting sensor configurations.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• At least one year of industry experience, preferably in aerospace, automotive, or marine sectors.
• Strong aptitude for physics and first-principles engineering problem solving.
• Proficiency with industry-standard CFD software such as Fluent, CFX, or STAR-CCM+.
• Experience in engineering programming, particularly Python and associated scientific libraries like numpy, pandas, scipy, and matplotlib.
• Demonstrated ability to manage shifting deadlines within a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with NX CAD and Teamcenter or comparable packages, especially for model interrogation and simplification for analysis.
• Experience selecting sensors and processing data from accelerometers, strain gauges, thermocouples, etc.
• Knowledge of thermal modeling tools such as Thermal Desktop, THERMICA, or NX SST.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers.

Important Information

Candidates working in the US must comply with ITAR regulations, requiring citizenship or valid status allowing access to controlled technologies. For New Zealand-based roles, security background checks will be conducted, and eligibility requires certain nationalities due to ITAR controls.

Equal Opportunity

Rocket Lab is committed to equal employment opportunities, prohibiting discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation for application or interview processes should contact the designated representative.