Senior Fluid Systems Engineer

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 to space. Our rockets and satellites enable scientific exploration, Earth observation, climate‑change missions, national security, and 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. We are developing Neutron, a medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. The Space Systems business designs and builds a broad line of satellites and components, including spacecraft selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and parts used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega‑constellations of tomorrow, high‑assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will provide a cost‑effective and reliable solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven history with the Electron program.

A Senior Fluid Systems Engineer on the Neutron team leads the design, build, and test of fluid systems across the launch vehicle. You will collaborate with and provide guidance to a team of engineers to translate vehicle‑level requirements into a fluid network that enables Neutron to operate with aircraft‑like reusability and reliability.

• Perform trade studies and sizing – using hand‑calculations, analytical models or test data – to define key elements of system architecture
• Provide guidance and mentorship to teammates within and beyond the fluids team to inform design, test, and operations best practices
• Lead key fluid system design, manufacturing, and test reviews
• Coordinate with component design, GSE, propulsion, GNC, and other interrelated teams to solve multidisciplinary issues
• Create and maintain analytical models that characterize and predict system behavior under all relevant conditions
• Champion efforts to create and maintain piping, instrumentation diagrams, system CAD, production drawings, and system test and operations procedures
• Perform planning, analysis, and troubleshooting of system performance during real‑time operations and post‑test data reviews
• Project manage development schedules, vendor management, budgeting, and related activities
• Create tools to enhance the team’s analysis capabilities, streamline workflow, and optimize launch operations

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a relevant engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience designing, operating, and troubleshooting fluid systems
• Strong engineering fundamentals in fluid dynamics and thermodynamics
• Solid understanding of fluid components such as valves, pressure vessels, flex elements, and fittings
• Working knowledge of manufacturing, fabrication, integration processes and quality control relevant to fluid components

• 8+ years experience in a fast‑paced aerospace environment where you completed difficult projects while collaborating with key groups
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion
• Experience working with a distributed team across the globe
• Advanced degree in a fluid mechanics‑heavy field
• Experience with oxygen and methane systems
• Experience using fluids analysis tools such as REFPROP and GFSSP
• Experience using Siemens NX
• Experience using Python
• Proven ability to practically apply engineering fundamentals to solve real, complex problems
• Demonstrated ability to rally a team to make and execute good decisions in a fast‑paced environment with limited information

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate a computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings
• Occa…