Lead Fluid Test Engineer

NEUTRON

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 deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab's proven execution history with the Electron program. If you're interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with clean sheet development of a reusable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!

Based out of Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Lead Fluid Test Engineer is responsible for developing the team that will bring component test stands into the real world and assuring they meet the stringent requirements needed for the Neutron program. You will support the Director of Manufacturing and the Neutron Development organization by standing up new test stands, supporting component designs early, leading assembly and testing of Neutron stands, and supporting production through testing operations.

• Coach, mentor and develop engineers to achieve new heights in their careers.
• Perform weekly, quarterly and yearly reviews with their direct employees
• Interview and hire candidates to fill new roles
• Create team goals and metrics to drive continuous improvement projects
• Lead/organize meetings as necessary to drive project completion
• Lead design & build of the Neutron & Archimedes Components test area in Long Beach
• Develop software for environmental testing and simulation
• Own assembly, checkouts and development testing of Neutron Component testing stands
• Develop the procedures & processes for component/engine tests that will form the baseline for the Neutron program into the future
• Lead problem containment and root cause/corrective action investigations, when required
• Quickly analyze and resolve manufacturing discrepancies and non-conformances
• Collaborate with the quality team to identify and drive quality-related initiatives and improvements
• Perform structured root cause analysis of in-process failures
• Liaison between production, quality, supply chain and design engineering staff for complex problem solving and process changes
• Identify, plan and execute capital equipment, machine, and layout upgrades to meet production requirements, including preparation of business cases
• Lead the continuous improvement process via Lean/Six Sigma tools and techniques
• Develop, introduce, and maintain new planning, production, quality, ERP, data collection and analysis, and other processes where none exist
• Develop and implement equipment maintenance plans for all test based equipment

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or other technical field
• 5+ years experience troubleshooting valves, actuators, regulators or similar fluid components during assembly, functional checkouts or while undergoing development and qualification testing
• Personnel or technical leadership experience
• Experience developing and building safe, high pressure, pneumatic, hydrostatic, and cryogenic test stands
• Experience with instrumentation, controls, and data acquisition systems

• Master's or PhD in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or other technical field
• 8+ years experience troubleshooting valves, actuators, regulators, cryogenic systems or similar
• Experience with aerospace component design, build & testing
• Previous history of planning, building, activating & operating component test stands for development, qualification and production acceptance testing
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes common to fluid components
• Experience with LabVIEW, Python, C, C++, MATLAB
• Extensive experience using fundamentals of fluid and structural mechanics to solve component issues in a fast-paced environment

• 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 computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in…