Senior Dynamics Engineer

About the role

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Dynamics Engineer to lead vibration and dynamic analysis for its next‑generation launch vehicle, Neutron. You will own critical technical challenges, assess risks early, and deliver high‑impact results that support reusable launch technology.

Key responsibilities

• Predict and define vibration environments across the vehicle using finite element analysis and analytical methods.
• Perform dynamic simulations including modal, acoustic, random vibration, sine‑harmonic, and transient analyses.
• Specify and review instrumentation locations (accelerometers, strain gauges, thermocouples) to monitor in‑flight environments.
• Define test requirements and support qualification campaigns for vehicle subsystems.
• Process and interpret static and dynamic ground‑test and flight data, validating correlation with numerical predictions.
• Collaborate with avionics, design, and propulsion teams to determine optimal mounting strategies.
• Validate and document structural analyses of primary and secondary launch‑vehicle structures, including FEM verification, material selection, and mass optimization.
• Implement new theory and tools, establish best practices, conduct peer reviews, and mentor junior engineers.
• Maintain documentation of test environments and qualification status for vehicle components.

Required profile

• Senior‑level dynamics engineering experience.
• Proven ability to own technical challenges and mitigate risks.
• Track record of delivering results that exceed goals.
• Commitment to setting high standards of technical excellence.

Required skills

• Finite element analysis (FEM) for vibration and structural dynamics.
• Modal, acoustic, random vibration, sine‑harmonic, and transient analysis techniques.
• Instrumentation planning (accelerometers, strain gauges, thermocouples).
• Test requirement definition and qualification support.
• Data processing and correlation of ground‑test and flight data.
• Collaboration with avionics, design, and propulsion disciplines.
• Structural analysis validation, material selection, and mass optimization.