Senior Aerodynamics Engineer

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 AERODYNAMICS ENGINEER

Rocket Lab's integrated analysis team contributes to the operation and development of Neutron by using modelling and simulation to solve challenging problems involving dynamics, fluid flow, and thermodynamics. Whether it is using CFD simulations, writing code to model flow physics, or applying data analysis on flight measurements to develop vehicle performance, analysis is critical to guide changes and develop the capability of Neutron. As a Senior Aerodynamics Engineer in Rocket Lab's Thermofluids Analysis team you will contribute to the analysis, design validation, and improvements of Rocket Lab's launch vehicles.

Day to day, you will be expected to lead concept development, perform trade studies, run simulations, and evaluate performance around Neutron's aerodynamics, heating, plume interaction and compartment venting. You will be responsible for evaluating aerodynamic control, flow feature characterisation, and representing these by generating aero-table databases.

Join a driven team that's tackling challenging projects, delivering on exciting missions, and making an impact on the future of space!

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Perform, validate, and document multi-physics analyses of launch vehicle aerodynamics and provide support for development projects, including:
  • Identify and leading the implementation of changes to vehicle aerodynamic design and characterisation
  • Performing trade-off studies
  • System design and optimization
• Aerodynamic performance and flight dynamics across ascent, re-entry, descent glide and landing
• Aerodynamic control, operation envelopes and unsteady flow features
• Represent aerodynamic characteristics through aero tables and models
• Own aerodynamic loads and environments
• Own Compartment venting design and environments

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• A degree in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or similar field
• 5+ years industry experience, ideally from the Aerospace, Automotive or Marine industries with an aerodynamic or fluid dynamics focus
• Excellent understanding of physical principles surrounding aerodynamics, heat transfer, dynamics, internal flow etc.)
• Demonstrated experience with one or more industry standard CFD packages: Fluent, CFX, STAR-CCM+, etc.
• Experience in Python and associated scientific packages: numpy, pandas, scipy, matplotlib
• The ability to work to deadlines within ahigh-pressureenvironment
• Proven communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues and engineering professionals

THESE QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Aerodynamic experience around Controllability, performance and flight dynamics
• Generating aerodynamic databases for control and guidance from combination of high and low fidelity sources
• Experience with mechanical systems in a relevant field (e.g. aerospace, automotive, marine)
• Experience in python for mathematical modelling, analysis tool development and data handling (numpy, scipy, pandas, git, package deployment, continuous integration)
• Experience withexperimental test methods,sensor selection and Thermal protection system design, specification and implementation.
• Experience with one or more industry standard thermal modelling packages: Thermal Desktop, THERMICA, NX SST
• Familiarity using Siemens CAD and PDM packages (or comparable industry standard packages) with emphasis on model interrogation and defeaturing for subsequent analyses
• Familiarity with industry standards (e.g., MIL-STD-1540, GSFC-STD-7000, ECSS-E-HB-32, NASA-STD-5001)

If you meet some or all of the above requirements apply now, all applications are reviewed and considered.