Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II

Rocket Lab • Long Beach, CA

12h • $132,000 - $220,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is hiring a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II for its propulsion engineering team in Long Beach, California. The role owns development at the system and component levels for spacecraft propulsion and fluidic products and systems, supporting Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division and programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers. The engineer serves as a technical lead through end-to-end development, from requirements and design through qualification, production, and testing. The role also includes systems engineering leadership, project coordination, stakeholder communication, mentorship, and contributions to engineering processes and documentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, such as aerospace, mechanical, or mechatronics engineering, or another technical discipline.
• At least 8 years of experience in propulsion system development or another high-performance field.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
• Expertise in propulsion system modeling, static and transient analysis, and model validation using test data, with software such as 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 of the Systems Engineering V and risk-based decision-making.
• Experience working on propulsion systems using different storable propellants, including electrical and chemical systems.

Nice To Haves

• Genuine passion for engineering, a curious mindset, and willingness to learn.
• Demonstrated hands-on engineering skills, at work or outside the workplace.
• Comfort working with significant ambiguity.
• Ability to make decisions using engineering principles, available literature and standards, technical risk assessments, test data, and physics-based models.
• Experience identifying steps to achieve high-level technical goals, scheduling them, and managing delivery against the plan.
• Experience with Jama.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work well within a team.
• Python skills 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 with 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 degree or PhD.

Responsibilities

• Own development of new or existing products and systems, serving as technical lead through 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, then analyze test data.
• Communicate with project stakeholders inside and outside the team.
• Make technical, risk-based decisions to select appropriate engineering solutions.
• Manage projects, including building and maintaining schedules, identifying priorities, assigning work to engineers and technicians, and communicating status to leadership and other teams.
• Mentor and coach team members in technical and professional development.
• Set and maintain team standards through documentation, training, coaching, and work reviews.
• 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 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.

What This Job Offers

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