Principal R&D Engineer

Responsibilities

• Work closely with mechanical engineers to assess conceptual designs and perform system trade studies
• Define and document material architectural decisions including selection, properties, and design allowables
• Design and coordinate testing to generate material property databases for metallic components
• Manage and control projects to ensure delivery on time, within scope, and within budget
• Contribute to technical decision making for design, test readiness, and risk reviews
• Mentor and technically assist other engineers

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (or equivalent experience)
• 8+ years of industry experience in design, development, and test of material systems
• Experience with metallic materials, process development, and qualification
• Experience with composites and related materials (prepregs, fibers, resins, etc.)
• Experience in Carbon Fibre Manufacturing processes (hand-lamination, OOA, bonding)
• Strong communication skills and ability to build professional relationships
• Ability to work to tight deadlines in high-pressure environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of ASTM standards for composite testing
• Experience with Siemens Team Center or Infor LN
• Experience transitioning products from prototype to production
• Experience with soft materials (O-rings, seals, lubricants)
• Experience in rapid composite tooling design and fabrication
• Experience in additive manufacturing, heat treating, machining, or welding
• Familiarity with CAD software such as NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or Inventor

About the Company

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more.