Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer I - Secret Clearance
About The Position
Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer I for its propulsion engineering team in Long Beach, California. The position owns system-level and component-level development of spacecraft propulsion and fluidic systems supporting civil, commercial, and defense programs within the Space Systems division. The engineer serves as a technical lead, guiding product or system development from concept through testing and production while providing systems engineering leadership, project coordination, and mentorship. The role includes propulsion performance calculations, modeling, analysis, and design; requirements management; test planning and execution; stakeholder communication; technical risk-based decision-making; and maintaining engineering standards and documentation. The position may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. Rocket Lab offers company stock as part of total compensation, alongside a comprehensive benefits package. The position is based in Long Beach, California, and requires U.S. citizenship and an active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, such as aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or another technical discipline.
- At least 5 years of experience in propulsion system development or another high-performance field.
- Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility.
- U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
- Expertise in propulsion system modeling, static and transient analysis, and model validation using test data; software examples include Amesim, EcosimPro, Simulink, or Simscape.
- Experience with end-to-end development, including requirements gathering, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing.
- Experience with all steps in the Systems Engineering V and risk-based decision-making.
- Experience working on propulsion systems using different storable propellants, such as electrical and chemical.
Nice To Haves
- Genuine passion for engineering, a curious mindset, and willingness to learn.
- Demonstrated hands-on engineering skills, inside or outside the workplace.
- Comfort working with high levels of ambiguity.
- Ability to make decisions using engineering principles, available literature and standards, technical risk assessments, test data, and physics-based models.
- Practice identifying steps to achieve high-level technical goals, scheduling them in a plan, and managing delivery against that plan.
- Experience with Jama.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work well within a team.
- Ability to use Python for data manipulation and post-processing.
- Detailed mechanical design experience using NX or equivalent industry-standard CAD software; NX is preferred.
- Experience with GD&T and engineering drawings.
- Experience using Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter, Windchill, or similar; Teamcenter is preferred.
- Experience using National Instruments data acquisition systems.
- Experience testing and troubleshooting flight hardware.
- Master’s or PhD.
Responsibilities
- Own development of new or existing products or systems and act as technical lead throughout the end-to-end development process.
- Perform conceptual and detailed performance calculations, systems modeling, analysis, and system design.
- Gather, define, and manage requirements.
- Lead systems engineering activities within the team.
- Plan, set up, instrument, and execute tests, and analyze test data.
- Communicate with internal and external project stakeholders.
- Make technical, risk-based decisions to identify the best solution to engineering challenges.
- Manage projects by building and maintaining schedules, prioritizing work, assigning tasks to engineers and technicians, and communicating status to leadership and other teams.
- Mentor and coach team members in technical and professional development.
- Define and maintain team standards through documentation, training, coaching, and review of others’ work.
- Contribute to Rocket Lab engineering process development and documentation in areas of expertise.
Benefits
- Company stock as part of total compensation.
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
- Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a significant company HSA contribution.
- Dental coverage.
- Vision coverage.
- Paid vacation and sick time.
- 11 paid holidays.
- Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
- Paid parental leave.
- Disability insurance.
- 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 the company merchandise store.
- Other employee discounts.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
