Principal Electric Propulsion Engineer

Rocket Lab • Long Beach, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is seeking a Principal Electric Propulsion Engineer for their propulsion engineering team based out of Long Beach, CA. This role involves system-level and component-level ownership of space systems propulsion and fluidic development, supporting the Space Systems division and leading cutting-edge programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers.

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in propulsion system development, or equivalent high-performance field
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or other technical engineering discipline)
• Expertise in propulsion system modelling, static and transient analysis, and model validation using test data using software such as Amesim, EcosimPro, Simulink, or Simscape
• Experience with end-to-end development process including gathering requirements, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing
• Strong grasp of all steps in the Systems Engineering V and risk-based decision making
• Experience working on electric propulsion systems
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Nice To Haves

• A genuine passion for engineering, curious mindset, and willingness to learn
• Comfortable working with high levels of ambiguity
• Makes decisions using basic engineering principles, available literature and standards, technical risk assessments, test data, and physics-based models
• Practice in identifying the necessary steps to achieve high level technical goals, scheduling them in a plan, and managing delivery against that plan
• Experience with Jama
• Capabilities using Python for data manipulation and post-processing
• Detailed mechanical design experience using NX (preferred) or equivalent industry standard CAD software
• Experience with GD&T and engineering drawings
• Experience using Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter (preferred), Windchill, or similar
• Experience using National Instruments data acquisition systems
• Experience with testing and troubleshooting flight hardware
• Masters or PhD
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well within a team environment
• Demonstrated hands on engineering skills, inside or outside the workplace

Responsibilities

• Own development of new or existing products or systems, acting as technical lead to guide team through end-to-end development process
• Conceptual and detailed performance calculations, systems modelling, analysis, and system designs
• Requirements gathering, definition, and management
• Systems engineering activities and leadership within the team
• Test planning, setup, instrumentation, execution, and data analysis
• Communicate with project stakeholders internal and external to the team
• Technical risk-based decision making to the right/best solution when faced with an engineering challenge
• Project management, including: schedule building and maintenance, identifying top priority items, tasking of other engineers and technicians, and communication of status to leadership and other teams
• Mentor and coach people within the team on technical and professional development
• Define and maintain standard of excellence for their team through documentation, training, coaching, and review of others’ work
• Contribute to engineering process development and documentation at Rocket Lab related to areas of experience

Benefits

• Company stock as part of total compensation package
• 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
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Subsidized EV charging
• Onsite fitness centers (where available)
• Discounted gym memberships
• Complimentary snacks and beverages
• 50% employee discount on our popular merch store
• Variety of other employee discounts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal