Principal R&D Engineer

ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us. 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. PRINCIPLE R&D ENGINEER Rocket Lab seeks a Principal Development Engineer to help build the Neutron platform: Rocket Lab’s medium lift, reusable launch vehicle capable of human spaceflight. As a Principal Development Engineer, you work closely with structural analysts, designers, manufacturing engineers, and the prototyping team to develop and execute the design and certification strategy for mechanical structures and mechanisms across the Neutron launch vehicle.  WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO Development Engineers combine technical excellence with strengths in technical planning and communication. • You will combine technical expertise in aerospace/aviation metallic materials with a general understanding of elastomers, and thermal protection systems. Ideally, you have had direct hands-on experience in the design, manufacture, and/or maintenance of high-performance systems in industry (i.e. aerospace, marine, aviation) • You will be adept at managing to a plan, and comfortable adjusting in response to evolving requirements or external constraints • You will be able to clearly describe Neutron’s design, verification, and certification strategy to internal and external customers, and to inspire a team to deliver this vision Day to day, your key responsibilities could include: • Work closely with mechanical engineers to rapidly assess conceptual designs, perform system trade studies, and develop integrated design solutions  • Define and document material architectural decisions from a component to system level, such as: material selection, properties, and design allowables; process definition and control; inspection methods; and practices for continuous improvement  • Design and coordinate/execute testing to generate material property databases for  metallic components  • Initiate, manage, and control projects including internal and external stakeholders to ensure they deliver on time, to scope, and within budget  • Actively contribute to technical decision making including conceptual, preliminary, and critical design, test readiness, change management, and risk reviews  • Proactively identify and solve technical challenges to allow projects to proceed at pace  • Mentor and technically assist other engineers Successful candidates in this role will thrive in ambiguity, and are excited to work in a small, high performing team focused on continued learning and growth. This position is ideal for an experienced, multidisciplinary engineer keen to support a complex project from conceptual design through to integration and launch. YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (or equivalent experience)  • 8+ year’s industry experience in the design, development, and test of material systems in a relevant high performance technical field (i.e. Aviation, Aerospace, Automotive Racing, Defence)  • Demonstrated experience with metallic materials and process development and qualification  • Experience in metallic material performance and characteristics  • Proven communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues and engineering professionals  • The ability to work to tight deadlines within a high-pressure environment   • Strong desire to learn new material in order to solve difficult, ambiguous challenges THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE • Knowledge of Aerospace standards regarding surface treatment, heat treatment, material composition, corrosion, fracture mechanics • Experience with Siemens Team Center / Infor LN  • Experience transitioning products from prototype to production  • Experience with soft materials used in structural applications (e.g. -rings, seals, lubricants)  • Experience in rapid composite tooling design and fabrication  • Experience in one/some of the following competencies: additive manufacturing, heat treating, machining, welding of metallics  • Experience in aerospace adhesives and bonding processes  • Familiarity with CAD software such as NX (Preferred), CATIA, SolidWorks, or Inventor  • Familiarity with quality systems including change and configuration management  • Hands-on experience including composite fabrication experience, mechanical testing, and/or thermal testing  ROCKET LAB EMPLOYEE BENEFITS • The opportunity to work on innovative and ground-breaking technology  • Relocation support and visa sponsorship • 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  If the above sounds like you, apply now! WHAT TO EXPECT We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door