Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer II​/Senior Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer PI

Long Beach, CA

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in‑space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high‑performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

We're currently seeking a Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer II / Senior Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer I for future opportunities for our structural analysis engineering team based of Long Beach, CA. This team supports our Space Systems division and lead cutting‑edge programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers. Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineers contribute to the analysis, design validation, and future improvements of our suite of Space Systems and Space Components.

You will be expected to define loads and environments, perform detailed simulations and physics‑based analysis, guide design, and help validate analysis, design, and system performance through test. You will support the Vehicle Design Director and Space Systems organization, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.

• Define, process, and interpret static and dynamic ground test & flight data, including sensor selection, data acquisition and validation, and environmental determination (random vibration, shock, quasi‑static, acoustic, pressure, and thermal)
• Perform, validate, and document structural analyses of primary and secondary vehicle structures, including finite element model verification and validation, material selection, performance of trade‑off studies, and mass optimization
• Perform structural and dynamic simulations, including static, modal, random vibration, buckling, and thermoelastic
• Work closely with design and test engineers to iterate through design concepts, determine test requirements, and demonstrate positive structural margins
• Define test requirements and directly support testing of vehicle subsystems and components
• Lead technical projects and programs, as required, both within analysis and across disciplines and teams
• Help implement new theory and tools within the team and establish best practices in areas of technical expertise

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Please note:

this position can be hired at the Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer II or Senior Spacecraft Structural Analysis Engineer I level)