Senior Electric Propulsion Engineer II

Rocket Lab CorporationLong Beach, CA
$132,000 - $220,000Onsite

About The Position

We’re currently seeking a Senior Electric Propulsion Engineer for our propulsion engineering team based out of Long Beach, CA. As an Electric Propulsion Engineer, you are responsible for system-level and component-level ownership of space systems propulsion and fluidic development. These teams support our Space Systems division, and lead cutting-edge programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers.

Requirements

  • 8+ 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
  • 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
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