Lead Spacecraft Propulsion Engineer

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock purchase program

Medical plans (HMO/PPO)

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

401(k) retirement plan with company‑匹

Employee discounts on merch

Onsite fitness centers

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II in Long Beach, CA. You will own propulsion system development, lead end-to-end programs, and guide a team through modelling, analysis, testing, and documentation.

Requirements include a bachelor’s in engineering and 8+ years in propulsion, with U.S. citizenship. This role offers exposure to civil, commercial, and defense projects with competitive compensation and extensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or other technical discipline).
• 8+ years propulsion system development experience.
• US citizenship is required due to program requirements.
• Expertise in propulsion modelling, static and transient analysis, and model validation using test data 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.
• Experience with all steps in the Systems Engineering V and risk-based decision making.
• Experience working on propulsion systems utilizing different storable propellants, such as electrical and chemical.

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 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
• 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

Skills

Propulsion modelling

Static/Transient analysis

Model validation tools

End-to-end development

Systems engineering leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Amesim

EcosimPro

Simulink

Simscape

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II in Long Beach, CA. You will own propulsion system development, lead end-to-end programs, and guide a team through modelling, analysis, testing, and documentation.

Requirements include a bachelor’s in engineering and 8+ years in propulsion, with U.S. citizenship. This role offers exposure to civil, commercial, and defense projects with competitive compensation and extensive benefits.