Principal Development Engineer

2 weeks ago


Auckland City, New Zealand Rocket Lab USA Full time

**Rocket Lab**

Rocket Lab is a vertically integrated provider of small launch services, satellites, and spacecraft components. Our mission is to open access to space to improve life on Earth. Our team is over 1,300 people strong and we're adding to it every week. Collaboration is at our core - every idea is heard, and everyone makes a difference. Teams are nimble, decisions are made quickly, and we are action oriented.

**While other companies talk about it, we do it**

Rocket Lab seeks a Principal Development Engineer to help build the Neutron platform: Rocket Lab's medium lift, reusable launch vehicle capable of human spaceflight. As a Principal Development Engineer, you work closely with structural analysts, designers, manufacturing engineers, and the prototyping team to develop and execute the design and certification strategy for mechanical structures and mechanisms across the Neutron launch vehicle.

Development Engineers combine technical excellence with strengths in technical planning and communication.
- You will combine technical expertise in composite and/or metallic materials with a general understanding of elastomers, and thermal protection systems. Ideally, you have had direct hands-on experience in the design, manufacture, and/or maintenance of high-performance systems in industry _(i.e. aerospace, marine, aviation)_.
- You will be adept at managing to a plan, and comfortable adjusting in response to evolving requirements or external constraints.
- You will be able to clearly describe Neutron's design, verification, and certification strategy to internal and external customers, and to inspire a team to deliver this vision.

Day to day, your key responsibilities could include:

- Work closely with mechanical engineers to rapidly assess conceptual designs, perform system trade studies, and develop integrated design solutions
- Define and document material architectural decisions from a component to system level, such as: _material selection, properties, and design allowables; process definition and control; inspection methods; and practices for continuous improvement_
- Design and coordinate/execute testing to generate material property databases for composite materials, thermal protection systems, and metallic components
- Initiate, manage, and control projects including internal and external stakeholders to ensure they deliver on time, to scope, and within budget
- Actively contribute to technical decision making including conceptual, preliminary, and critical design, test readiness, change management, and risk reviews
- Proactively identify and solve technical challenges to allow projects to proceed at pace
- Mentor and technically assist other engineers

**Essential**:

- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering _(or equivalent experience)_
- 8+ year's industry experience in the design, development, and test of material systems in a relevant technical field _(i.e. Aviation, Aerospace, Automotive, Marine)_
- Demonstrated experience with composite or polymer materials and process development and qualification
- Demonstrated experience with composites and related materials _(prepregs, fibers, resins, cores, adhesives, coatings, etc.)_
- Demonstrated experience in Carbon Fibre Manufacturing processes, including:
- Hand-lamination _(carbon fibre, fiberglass, Kevlar, etc.)_
- Out-Of-Autoclave OOA material systems
- Bonding operations
- Experience in metallic material performance and characteristics
- Proven track record of technical leadership and mentorship on projects from concept to completion.
- Proven communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues and engineering professionals
- The ability to work to tight deadlines within a high-pressure environment
- Strong desire to learn new material in order to solve difficult, ambiguous challenges.

**Desirable**:

- Knowledge of ASTM standards relevant to composite testing
- Experience with Siemens Team Center / Infor LN
- Experience transitioning products from prototype to production
- (e.g. O-rings, seals, lubricants)_
- Experience in rapid composite tooling design and fabrication
- Experience in one/some of the following competencies: additive manufacturing, heat treating, machining, welding of metallics
- Experience in aerospace adhesives and bonding processes
- Familiarity with Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) process development _(tool design, cure compensation, etc)_
- Familiarity with CAD software such as NX _(preferred)_, CATIA, SolidWorks, or Inventor
- Familiarity with quality systems including change and configuration management
- Hands-on experience including composite fabrication experience, mechanical testing, and/or thermal testing

**Rocket Lab Employee Benefits**:

- The opportunity to work on innovative and ground-breaking technology
- Access to world leading experts to develop your career
- Unlimited barista coffee, fruit and snacks
- Rocket Lab merchandise - T-shirts, mission patch


  • Principal Engineer

    2 months ago


    Auckland City, New Zealand ASB Bank Full time

    Job Ad Title: Principal Engineer - Cloud Transformation and Migration At ASB, we're all about doing what we can to help our customers get "One Step Ahead" by giving them the tools they need to manage their lives and plans for their families and future. Our products don't just serve ads or stream movies - they underpin our economy and touch people's...

  • Principal Engineer

    2 months ago


    Auckland City, New Zealand ASB Bank Full time

    **Principal Engineer** ***: Job Ad Title: Principal Engineer - Cloud Transformation and Migration At ASB, we're all about doing what we can to help our customers get "One Step Ahead" by giving them the tools they need to manage their lives and plans for their families and future. Our products don't just serve ads or stream movies - they underpin our...

  • Principal Engineer

    4 weeks ago


    Auckland City, New Zealand HAYS Full time

    One of a kind long term contract opportunity for Principal Engineers **Your new company** They are a leading Tech consultancy who are well known for their work using modern technologies. They are currently on the lookout for a Principal Engineer to work on a project within the SAAS space. **Your new role** As a Principal Engineer, you will play a key...


  • Auckland City, New Zealand Tesla Consultants Full time

    **Who are Tesla Consultants?** We are a recognised leader in the New Zealand electric power industry, providing high quality specialist engineering services. Established in 1994 on the unique principles of staff ownership and team management, we have offices located in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Christchurch. Our team combines technical knowledge...

  • Principal Developer

    2 weeks ago


    Auckland City, New Zealand Datacom Full time

    Our purpose Here at Datacom we connect people and technology in order to solve challenges, create opportunities and discover new possibilities for the communities we live in The Nuts and Bolts About the Role We know Payroll and have been processing payroll accurately and compliantly for over 50 years. The Principal Developer is a new role and in this...

  • Principal Developer

    2 weeks ago


    Auckland City, New Zealand Axsys Full time

    We’re MYOB, a business management platform designed to unleash the potential of businesses across Australia and New Zealand! As the #originalstartup, our roots are in finance and accounting software, but today we are so much more. We help our Aussie and Kiwi customers unleash their full potential, giving them the tools to Start, Survive and Succeed: all in...

  • Principal Engineer

    1 week ago


    Wellington City, New Zealand HAYS Full time

    Permanent Principal engineer in Wellington Public sector **Your new role** As principal engineer of this key public sector organisation you will lead, evolve and design internal development and engineering practices working closely with the delivery team. This is a management role where you will be responsible for establishing technical practices and...

  • Principal Developer

    4 weeks ago


    Auckland City, New Zealand MYOB Full time

    We’re MYOB, a business management platform designed to unleash the potential of businesses across Australia and New Zealand! As the #originalstartup, our roots are in finance and accounting software, but today we are so much more. We help our Aussie and Kiwi customers unleash their full potential, giving them the tools to Start, Survive and Succeed: all in...

  • Principal Developer

    2 weeks ago


    Auckland City, New Zealand MYOB Full time

    We’re MYOB, a business management platform designed to unleash the potential of businesses across Australia and New Zealand! As the #originalstartup, our roots are in finance and accounting software, but today we are so much more. We help our Aussie and Kiwi customers unleash their full potential, giving them the tools to Start, Survive and Succeed: all in...

  • Principal Engineer

    2 weeks ago


    Auckland City, New Zealand Futureverse Full time

    Futureverse is a technological and cultural foundation for the open metaverse where creators, companies and communities conjure their future. A merger rolling up thriving metaverse companies into one collaborative ecosystem, with the united goal of improving the web3 and Open Metaverse experience. This ecosystem, Futureverse, is the culmination of strategy,...


  • Auckland City, New Zealand Mott MacDonald Full time

    **Your opportunity** As part of our dynamic team, you will be responsible for leading and overseeing pipeline projects throughout their lifecycle. You will manage the design, development, and implementation of these projects, ensuring they are completed successfully and to the highest standards. - You will be responsible for managing project timelines,...

  • Principal Engineer

    4 weeks ago


    Auckland City, New Zealand Contact Energy Full time

    Company Description **Te Tākinatanga - Our Story** The purpose of the Technical Authority (Mechanical) /Principal Engineer Mechanical role is to provide technical leadership as an advanced specialist within their discipline across Contact Generation and Trading The role has a strong emphasis on implementing improvements in technology and processes to...

  • Principal Engineer

    3 weeks ago


    Auckland City, New Zealand Contact Energy Full time

    Company Description **Te Tākinatanga - Our Story** The purpose of the Technical Authority (Mechanical) /Principal Engineer Mechanical role is to provide technical leadership as an advanced specialist within their discipline across Contact Generation and Trading The role has a strong emphasis on implementing improvements in technology and processes to...


  • Auckland City, New Zealand CMW Geosciences Full time

    CMW Geosciences (CMW) is a specialist Geotechnical Consultancy with offices in Australia and New Zealand focusing on providing specialist geotechnical consulting services. We are a privately owned, consultancy delivering excellent geotechnical services based on strong personal working relationships, honest and open communications and a focus on work/life...


  • Auckland City, New Zealand Stantec Full time

    Principal / Senior Principal Civil Engineer - ( 240001ZQ ) **Description** Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That's why, at Stantec, we always **design with community in mind.** We care about the communities we serve - because they're our communities...

  • Principal Engineer

    2 weeks ago


    Auckland City, New Zealand AECOM Full time

    Company Description At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world. We believe infrastructure creates opportunity for everyone. Whether it’s improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. Our clients trust us to bring together the best people, ideas,...

  • Principal Engineer

    2 weeks ago


    Auckland City, New Zealand AECOM Full time

    Company Description **At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world.** We believe infrastructure creates opportunity for everyone. Whether it’s improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. Our clients trust us to bring together the best people, ideas,...

  • Principal Engineer

    1 week ago


    Auckland City, New Zealand AECOM Full time

    **Company Description** **At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world.** We believe infrastructure creates opportunity for everyone. Whether it’s improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. Our clients trust us to bring together the best people,...


  • Auckland City, New Zealand Stantec Full time

    Principal Stormwater Engineer - ( 240002JA ) **Description** **He taonga te wai ka hāpaina ka whakamanatia e mātou | Water is precious and our people respect the responsibility this brings.** Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That's why at Stantec, we...

  • Principal Engineer

    2 weeks ago


    Auckland City, New Zealand ASB Bank Full time

    **Principal Engineer - 10xTheTx - Cloud** ***: At ASB, we're all about doing what we can to help our customers get "One Step Ahead" by giving them the tools they need to manage their lives and plans for their families and future. Our products don't just serve ads or stream movies - they underpin our economy and touch people's lives. The Engineering...