Lead Spacecraft Propulsion Components Engineer

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock purchase program

Comprehensive medical plans

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

EV charging subsidy

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Components Engineer II to own propulsion system development for civil, commercial, and defense programs. You will design, analyse, test, and release flight hardware, while leading a team through end‑to‑end development and stakeholder communication.

The role requires 8+ years in propulsion, strong CAD/PLM skills (NX, Teamcenter), hands‑on testing with NI equipment, and US citizenship with the ability to obtain a security clearance.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in propulsion system development or equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or related)
• Experience with NX or equivalent CAD and PLM software such as Teamcenter or Windchill
• Track record of design reviews and release approvals for flight hardware
• Experience with end‑to‑end development (requirements, design, qualification, production, testing)
• Strong communication skills and teamwork
• Hands‑on integration and testing experience (NI equipment/software)
• Experience with propulsion systems using different propellants (storable) and related hardware
• US citizenship and willingness to obtain a security clearance

Responsibilities

• Own development of new or existing propulsion products or systems, guiding the team end-to-end
• Create conceptual and detailed CAD designs and perform performance calculations
• Review drawings, PMI, reports, and specifications for release
• Plan, set up, and execute tests with data analysis
• Communicate with project stakeholders inside and outside the team
• Make risk‑based technical decisions for optimal solutions
• Manage projects including schedules, priorities, and status reporting
• Mentor team members on technical and professional growth
• Define and maintain standards of excellence through documentation and training
• Contribute to engineering process development within Rocket Lab

Skills

Propulsion system development

End-to-end development

Teamwork and communication

Technical risk assessment

Project management

Mentorship

CAD design and analysis

Python data handling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

NX

Teamcenter

Windchill

NI data acquisition systems

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Components Engineer II to own propulsion system development for civil, commercial, and defense programs. You will design, analyse, test, and release flight hardware, while leading a team through end‑to‑end development and stakeholder communication.

The role requires 8+ years in propulsion, strong CAD/PLM skills (NX, Teamcenter), hands‑on testing with NI equipment, and US citizenship with the ability to obtain a security clearance.