Senior Structural Analyst

About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is the global leader in small satellite launch. Our mission is to open access to space to improve life on Earth. There are endless possibilities for what we can achieve with better access to space, and that access is now a reality thanks to Rocket Lab.  Collaboration is at our core - every idea is heard, and everyone makes a difference. Teams are nimble, decisions are made quickly, and we are action-oriented.

   While other companies talk about it, we do it!

About the role
Rocket Lab’s Analysis Team uses first principles physics, modelling, simulation, and data analysis to solve challenging problems involving structures, dynamics, fluid flow, and thermodynamics. As a Senior Structural Analyst, you will contribute to the analysis, design validation, and future improvements of Rocket Lab’s suite of Launch Vehicles, Space Systems, and Space Components through analysis. Day to day, you will be expected to review flight data, define loads and environments, perform detailed simulations and physics-based analysis, guide design, and help validate analysis, design, and system performance through test. Scope of work may additionally extend to supporting launch and test ground systems, propulsion development, launch operations, customer interaction, and establishing technical methodology.

****Essential skills

• A degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or similar field
• 5+ years industry experience, ideally from the Aerospace, Automotive, or Marine industries
• A keen physics-based approach to problem solving
• Expert knowledge of structural mechanics
• Demonstrated expertise with one or more industry standard structural FEA packages: ANSYS, Nastran, Abaqus, Optistruct/Hyperworks
• Experience using NX CAD and Teamcenter packages (or comparable industry standard packages) with emphasis on model interrogation and defeaturing for subsequent analyses
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes, including conventional machining, and additive manufacturing
• Experience with accurate prediction of component life and structural margins, including:
  • o Ductile metal failure
  • o Fatigue
  • o Fracture
• Expertise in vibroacoustic modelling and analysis
• Experience with sensor selection and data post-processing/ interpretation (accelerometers, strain gauges, thermocouples etc.)
• Experience with static and dynamic structural test methods, including:
  • o Modal correlation
  • o Random vibration
  • o Sine burst
  • o Equivalent sine input
  • o Force notching
  • o Shock
  • o Fixture evaluation
• Expertise with engineering programming, especially in Python
• Demonstrated experience with project and program management, including setting and meeting requirements, establishing and keeping schedule, interfacing across teams and disciplines, leading reviews, and communicating to executives and customers
• Comfort executing to changing deadlines within a high pressure environment
• Comfort working independently and in a team
• Effective communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues and engineering professionals

Rocket Lab Employee Benefits

• The opportunity to work on innovative and ground breaking technology
• An employee stock purchase program
• Access to world leading experts to develop your career
• Unlimited barista coffee, fruit and snacks
• Rocket Lab merchandise – T-shirts, mission patches etc.
• Discounted health insurance with Southern Cross
• Additional parental leave entitlements
• A vibrant team culture with social activities throughout the year

Important Information
For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant.  These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.  Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.  For more information on these Regulations, click here http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/regulations\_laws/itar.html