Rocket Lab USA
Principal Stage Fluids Engineer
East Long Beach, Los Angeles County · Principal · full-time
Work authorization required$162k-$243kDetected 70 days ago
JiraSiemens NXStructural AnalysisMechanical Design
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odds of building a lasting career here
56Sponsors, lottery-bound
Cap-exempt (no lottery)0
Sponsors this role72
Entry-level history0
PERM / green-card track0
Lottery odds (Level IV)94
Fits your clock70
Sponsors, but it's cap-subject — you still face the weighted lottery (~61% per draw at Level IV). Good if you win; have a cap-exempt backup on your list.
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About the role
- Rocket Lab's Neutron team is responsible for bringing our new large rocket Neutron and its launch and test sites to life.
- Review and provide feedback for critical structural analysis of fluid components and systems. - Model these systems to characterize and predict system behavior at all conditions.
- Enforce these standards across the program and beyond. - Mentor and grow your peers to strengthen the overall team.
Responsibilities
- 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.
- Design plumbing systems, components, and their secondary structures. Provide feedback to your peers on their designs, drawings, and methodology.
- Manage requirements, realization, and implementation of systems in the larger launch vehicle context.
- Review data from component, system, and vehicle level testing to optimize and improve future designs.
- Collaborate with components, propulsion, structures, mechanical, operations, and flight software teams to develop and define vehicle functions.
- Create tools to enhance the team's analysis capabilities, streamline workflow and optimize launch operations.
- Design plumbing systems, components, and their secondary structures.
- Provide feedback to your peers on their designs, drawings, and methodology.
- Set the standard for design, production, and testing processes.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or relevant engineering discipline.
- 12+ years of experience in a hardware rich environment.
- Experience with fluid components design and usage for valves, pressure vessels, flex elements & fittings.
- Experience with DfM/DfAM, machining processes, and welding processes with a proven understanding of mechanical drafting and GD&T.
Nice to have
- 8+ years of experience in a fast-paced aerospace environment where you have completed difficult projects while collaborating effectively with other key groups.
- Strong understanding of how to design for classic aerospace constraints: minimizing mass while maintaining manufacturability, function, and low costs.
- Experience working with a distributed team across the globe.
- Advanced degree in a fluid mechanics-heavy field.
- Experience with oxygen, methane, and/or cryogenic systems.
- Experience using Siemens NX & Teamcenter.
- Demonstrated ability to rally a team to make & execute good decisions in a fast-paced environment with limited information.
- Experience with Aerospace Processes, Standards, and Workflows, from JIRA to AS9100.
Compensation
- $162,000 - $243,000 USD
- 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.
Equal opportunity
- 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.
Visa & Work Authorization
- citizen, lawful U
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This listing is sourced directly from Rocket Lab USA's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.