SPACE SYSTEMSRocket Lab's Space Systems team is responsible for every satellite and satellite component made by Rocket Lab: from complete satellites destined for missions to the Moon and Mars, to the individual components and subsystems that make up a satellite like solar panels, flight software, reaction wheels and star trackers, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team is made up of engineers, technicians, and designers who design, create, and put together our own satellites for missions across the commercial, government, and defense sectors, or who build and assemble satellite hardware and software that supports other satellite missions.SR. SPACECRAFT THERMAL ENGINEER – TS/SCI CLEARANCEBased out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, theSr. Spacecraft Thermal Engineeris responsible for overseeing the thermal design, analysis, testing, and validation of Rocket Lab's space vehicles. You'll be expected to perform thermal modeling and data analysis while working closely with the test and design engineers to capture the vehicle's thermal performance and provide input for design improvements. You will support the Space Systems organization, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:Complete thermal modeling and analysis of vehiclesConduct thermal design trade studies that successfully balance performance margins, resource use, risk, cost, and scheduleIdentify and resolve thermal design, acceptance, and performance issues for space vehicle components and assembliesDesign and execute thermal tests for space vehicle components and assembliesPerform thermal model validation using test and in-flight dataLiaise with all levels of program and engineering staff on thermal design and test matters, and support other teams/disciplines as necessaryIdentify and research potential vendors of thermal control materialsYOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other engineering degreeActive TS/SCI clearance5+ years of thermal engineering experienceExperience with spacecraft or satellite development programsTHESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:Master's or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other engineering degreeStrong background in heat transferExperience with thermal systems and passive thermal management techniquesFamiliarity using Siemens NX and Teamcenter, with emphasis on model interrogation and defeaturing for subsequent analysesDemonstrated experience with Thermal DesktopExperience with planning, execution, and data analysis of thermal balance testsStrong communication skills, both written and verbalAbility to work independently but also build strong working relationships with colleaguesExperience with constant conductance and variable conductance heat pipesExperience working with multi-layer insulation: design, fabrication, installation, and testExperience with 0-D and 1-D thermal/fluid networksFamiliarity with scripting languages such as Python and MATLABFamiliarity with thermal engineering tools such as NX Space Systems Thermal, ANSYS, SINDA, and THERMICAKnowledge of aspects of launch and on-orbit operationsFamiliarity with orbital mechanics and attitude dynamics related to thermal analysis
