Senior Spacecraft Thermal Engineer I

About the role

The Senior Spacecraft Thermal Engineer I at Rocket Lab is responsible for owning the complete thermal lifecycle of Rocket Lab's space vehicles, from initial concept through on-orbit operations. This role involves performing detailed thermal modeling and analysis to predict how spacecraft components will behave in the space environment. The engineer will conduct thermal design trade studies that balance performance margins, resource use, risk, cost, and schedule to find optimal solutions. They will identify, resolve, and communicate thermal design, acceptance, and performance issues for space vehicle components and assemblies. This position requires designing and executing comprehensive thermal tests to validate hardware performance against mission requirements. The role serves as a key technical interface, liaising with all levels of program and engineering staff on thermal design and test matters while supporting other teams as necessary. Additionally, the engineer will identify and research potential vendors of thermal control materials to ensure the best solutions for Rocket Lab's demanding space applications.

Key facts

What you'll do

Perform thermal modeling and analysis of vehicles using first principles and industry-standard tools to predict temperature behavior.

Conduct thermal design trade studies that successfully balance performance margins, resource use, risk, cost, and schedule to select optimal thermal solutions.

Identify and resolve thermal design, acceptance, and performance issues for space vehicle components and assemblies throughout the mission lifecycle.

Design and execute thermal tests for space vehicle components and assemblies to verify analytical predictions and ensure mission success.

Perform thermal model validation using test and in-flight data to refine analysis models and improve future accuracy.

Liaise with all levels of program and engineering staff on thermal design and test matters, ensuring clear communication and alignment across disciplines.

Support other teams and disciplines as necessary to integrate thermal requirements into overall spacecraft design and verification.

Identify and research potential vendors of thermal control materials to evaluate new technologies and optimize supply chain options.

Requirements

Hold a Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical engineering or other engineering degree from an accredited institution.

Bring 5+ years of thermal engineering experience in relevant space or high-tech environments.

Possess direct experience with spacecraft or satellite development programs and their associated thermal challenges.

Maintain U.S. citizenship, as required by program regulations and export control laws.

Demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex thermal engineering challenges.

Show ability to work effectively both independently and within a collaborative team environment.

Commit to meeting tight project deadlines and delivering high-quality results under pressure.

Willingness to adhere to company policies, safety procedures, and quality standards essential for space missions.

Nice to have

Pursue a Master's or PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering; or other engineering degree for advanced technical contributions.

Develop a strong background in heat transfer principles to enhance thermal solution designs.

Gain experience with thermal systems and passive thermal management techniques for space applications.

Become familiar with using Siemens NX and Teamcenter, with emphasis on model interrogation and defeaturing for subsequent analyses.

Demonstrate hands-on experience with Thermal Desktop for detailed thermal modeling tasks.

Accumulate experience with planning, execution, and data analysis of thermal balance tests to verify spacecraft performance.

Hone strong communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective technical documentation and presentations.

Cultivate the ability to work independently while building strong working relationships with colleagues across diverse functions.

Acquire experience with constant conductance and variable conductance heat pipes for thermal control design.

Develop expertise with multi-layer insulation: design, fabrication, installation, and test for thermal protection.

Understand 0-D and 1-D thermal/fluid networks to model complex thermal systems efficiently.

Leverage scripting languages such as Python and MATLAB to automate analysis tasks and improve workflows.

Utilize thermal engineering tools such as NX Space Systems Thermal, ANSYS, SINDA, and THERMICA for advanced simulations.

Gain knowledge of aspects of launch and on-orbit operations to ensure thermal designs survive the space environment.

Understand orbital mechanics and attitude dynamics related to thermal analysis for accurate mission planning.

Practical notes

Employment eligibility

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.

Compensation and benefits

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.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive 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.

Equal opportunity and security information

We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other's backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in New Zealand should contact . This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.