Senior Propulsion Components Engineer I/II

Rocket Lab CorporationLong Beach, CA
$132,000 - $176,000Onsite

About The Position

We are currently seeking a Senior Propulsion Components Engineer I/II for our propulsion engineering team based out of Long Beach, CA. As a Propulsion Components 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. (Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Propulsion Components Engineer I or Senior Propulsion Components Engineer II level)

Requirements

  • 5+ years of experience in propulsion system development, or equivalent high-performance field (for I level)
  • 8+ years of experience in propulsion system development, or equivalent high-performance field (for II level)
  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or other technical engineering discipline)
  • Detailed mechanical design experience using NX (preferred) or equivalent industry standard CAD software and Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter (preferred), Windchill, or similar.
  • Track record of design reviews and approving release of flight parts, qual reports and decisions for flight hardware.
  • Experience with end-to-end development process including gathering requirements, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing.
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well within a team environment.
  • Hands-on integration and testing experience (ideally using NI equipment and software)
  • Experience working on propulsion systems utilizing different storable propellants, such as electrical and chemical
  • US citizenship and willingness to obtain a security clearance required, due to program requirements

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 developing requirement and verification sets, as well as writing test plans, performing testing, and writing test reports.
  • Capabilities using Python for data manipulation and post-processing.
  • Demonstrated hands on engineering skills, inside or outside the workplace.
  • 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.

Responsibilities

  • Owning development of new or existing products or systems, acting as technical lead to guide team through end-to-end development process.
  • Conceptual and detailed designs in CAD for propulsion system components as well as performance calculations, and analysis.
  • Review and approval of others’ drawings, 3D PMI, reports, and specifications.
  • Test planning, setup, instrumentation, execution, and data analysis.
  • Communicating 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.
  • Mentorship and coaching of people within the team on technical and professional development.
  • Defining and maintaining standard of excellence for their team through documentation, training, coaching, and review of others’ work.
  • Contributing to engineering process development and documentation at Rocket Lab related to areas of experience.

Benefits

  • top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option
  • dental and vision coverage
  • 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year
  • 11 paid holidays per year
  • flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts
  • paid parental leave
  • disability insurance
  • life insurance
  • access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Discounted employee stock purchase program
  • subsidized EV charging stations
  • onsite gym
  • food and drinks
  • other discounts
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