Thermofluids Analyst II

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.

THERMOFLUIDS ANALYST II

Rocket Lab's integrated analysis team contributes to the operation and development of Neutron & Electron 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 understand & improve vehicle performance, analysis is critical to guide changes and develop the capability of our launch vehicles.

As a Thermofluids Analyst II 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 conduct concept development, perform trade studies, run simulations, and evaluate performance around Neutron's pressurisation, propellant management, and reaction control systems. You will be responsible for evaluating system sizing, propellant depletion, slosh, propellant loading & conditioning, and CONOPS across all flight phases (Ascent, Descent, On-Orbit).

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 CFD analyses of launch vehicle fluid systems including:
  • Compressible flow (choked flow, Aerodynamics)
  • Incompressible flow (internal, two phase)
• Perform heat transfer simulations (conduction, convection and radiation) including:
  • Conduct integrated thermal analyses (ITAs) of spacecraft integrated to Rocket Lab launch vehicles.
  • Component thermal analyses
  • Aeroheating thermal response
  • TPS specification
• Perform, validate, and document thermofluid analyses of primary and secondary launch vehicle systems, including:
  • Model development and coding
  • Numerical Analysis
  • Material selection
  • Performance trade-off studies
  • Performance optimization
• Work closely with design and test engineers to iterate through design concepts, determine test requirements, and demonstrate positive margins
• Process and interpret ground test and flight data, including:
  • Determining if vehicle components remain within MPE bounds
  • Comparing sensor data across multiple flights to detect out-of-family results
  • Identifying and resolving sensor configuration issues (grounding, calibration, damage, naming etc.)
  • Using a strong understanding of physical principles (e.g., heat transfer, flow, cryogenics, pumps, etc.) to determine the root cause of vehicle anomalies through data analysis
• Conduct peer reviews of analyses
• Document data processing methodology thoroughly for peer review and sign-off
• Produce Acceptance, Proto-qualification, and Qualification test levels through the consistent application of approved margining approaches
• Support testing of vehicle subsystems through correlation of test and analysis results, and preparation of pre and post-test analysis reports
• Standardise and catalogue analysis procedures in line with industry best practice
• Develop new and existing propellant dynamics models around temperature, gas rejection and control strategies
• Contribute to the improvement and automation of test and flight data review

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• A degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering or similar field
• 3-5 years industry experience, ideally from the Aerospace, Automotive or Marine industries
• Strong understanding of physical principles (heat transfer, electronics, internal flow, aerodynamics, etc.)
• Fluid engineering experience around pressure loss, valves and sensors
• Demonstrated experience with one or more industry standard CFD packages: Fluent, CFX, STAR-CCM+
• Experience in Python and associated scientific packages: numpy, pandas, scipy, matplotlib
• Demonstrated thermal modelling of components, networks and lump masses
• Experience withexperimental test methods,sensor selection and data post-processing/ interpretation(thermocouples, pressure transducers, accelerometers, strain gauges, microphones etc.)
• 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 WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with dynamic thermofluid systems:
  • Propellant Dynamics (slosh, flow instabilities, Pogo)
  • Propellant level sensing and control strategies
  • Pumps, pressurisation systems and cryogenics experience
  • Thermodynamics of 2-phase, cryogenics or refrigeration systems
• Compressible gas modelling of pressure vessels, pressurisation systems and piping
• Knowledge around space thermal environments and modelling for both orbital and ascent environments
• Thermal protection system design, specification and implementation.
• Knowledge of HVAC system design and/or analysis.
• Experience with one or more industry standard thermal modelling packages: Thermal Desktop, THERMICA, NX SST
• Familiarity using Solidworks CAD and PDM packages (or comparable industry standard packages) with emphasis on model interrogation and defeaturing for subsequent analyses
• Experience in Python package development and modelling (git, CI, deployment)
• Familiarity with industry standards (e.g., MIL-STD-1540, GSFC-STD-7000, ECSS-E-HB-32, NASA-STD-5001)

If the Above sounds like you apply now!