Team Lead - Computational Fluid Dynamics

Company Overview

Rocket Lab is an integrated space enterprise providing services from launch to spacecraft manufacturing, with the mission to broaden space access. The company supports critical missions such as scientific research, climate change monitoring, defense, and pioneering space technologies with its Electron rocket and upcoming Neutron launch vehicle.

Role Summary

As the CFD Team Lead at Rocket Lab's Auckland location, you will guide a focused group of thermofluid analysts supporting analysis, design validation, and enhancements for launch vehicles and space systems. You will embody professionalism, set team standards, ensure efficiency, and consistently achieve deadlines and objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead advanced thermofluid simulations including hypersonic/subsonic aerodynamic flows, compressible/incompressible internal fluid systems, and heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation) assessments.
• Collaborate across teams by engaging with design and test engineers to refine concepts, analyze flight and ground test data validating vehicle performance, and identify anomalies using fundamental physics and data analysis.
• Define technical strategy by conducting peer evaluations, developing methodologies, documenting best practices, and setting qualification test criteria while supporting knowledge transfer globally.
• Coach and develop team members by providing technical guidance, creating training programs, managing performance, and modeling professional conduct and effective communication.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with over five years in aerospace, automotive, or marine industries.
• Expertise in CFD and thermal modeling using tools such as Fluent, CFX, STAR-CCM+, Thermal Desktop, THERMICA, or NX SST, with demonstrated validation and documentation skills.
• Proficient in NX CAD/Teamcenter or equivalents, sensor selection and data processing, and engineering programming in Python with libraries like numpy, pandas, scipy, and matplotlib.
• Strong communication and execution skills, proven under tight deadlines, and successful cross-functional collaborations.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Knowledge of structural mechanics and analysis techniques to supplement thermofluids expertise.
• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards such as MIL-STD-1540, GSFC-STD-7000, ECSS-E-HB-32, and NASA-STD-5001.
• Understanding of conventional and additive manufacturing processes to improve manufacturability.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers through training and coaching.

Additional Information

The position requires adherence to international export control regulations. For candidates applying to U.S. locations, citizenship or appropriate authorizations under ITAR are mandatory. New Zealand applicants will undergo background and nationality checks due to regulatory restrictions. Rocket Lab is committed to equal opportunity employment and offers accommodations during application and interviews for individuals with disabilities.