Principal Combustion Devices Engineer

Based out of Rocket Lab’s headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Principal Combustion Devices Engineer will be responsible for the development of one or more combustion devices (preburners, main injectors, thrust chambers assemblies and vacuum nozzles). These devices are an integral portion of the 200,000 lbf Archimedes engine, which operates in a demanding but efficient ox-rich, staged combustion architecture.

In this role, you’ll take ownership of all aspects of a component: design and analysis, manufacturing and test support, and successful flights and subsequent, high-cadence, re-flights. By doing so, you will help propel the Neutron rocket, expanding human capabilities in space and providing value to the company and its shareholders.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Design, analyze, and perform trades studies to achieve programmatic targets.
• Define requirements, test and flight qualification plans.
• Work with the interface owners, like turbomachinery and engine systems teams, to make a high-end product that could be iterated fast and seamlessly.
• Work with manufacturing and build engineers to design easily manufacturable, cost-effective, beautiful parts.
• Work with the test and launch teams to interpret data and provide solutions to enable a high cadence - of tests, flights and re-flights.

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent
• 12+ years of combustion device design experience
• In-depth knowledge of combustion and fluid dynamics, heat transfer and structural mechanics.
• Fundamental understanding of design principals and manufacturing methods.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Master’s or a PhD.
• Advanced proficiency in NX, ANSYS Mechanical, StarCCM, MATLAB and GD&T.
• Proficiency in niche software like: TDK, ROCCID, PERCORP, CEA, ROCETS.
• Reacting flow CFD.
• Expertise in high-speed data/video analysis in time and frequency domains.
• Experience with designing reusable, propulsively landing rocket engines.
• Experience in an iterative and scrappy development environment.

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Join one of the world’s fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you’ll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$211,500-$349,500 USD

Base Salary

$162,000-$270,000 USD