Lead Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Top-tier medical HMO

PPO & 100% company-sponsored HSA

Dental and vision coverage

3 weeks paid vacation

11 paid holidays

401(k) with company match

Discounted employee stock purchase

Onsite gym

Subsidized EV charging

Food and drinks

Job summary

Rocket Lab seeks a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II in Long Beach, CA. You will own propulsion system development, lead end-to-end design, modelling, testing, and risk-based decisions for civil, commercial, and defense programs.

You will mentor teammates, drive system integration, and contribute to Rocket Lab's propulsion engineering standards while collaborating with stakeholders across Space Systems.

Qualifications

• The candidate has 8+ years in propulsion system development or high-performance fields.
• US citizenship is required due to program requirements.
• Experience with propulsion system modelling and validation using test data.
• Familiarity with end-to-end development, from requirements to testing and acceptance.
• Experience with Systems Engineering processes and risk-based decision making.
• Experience with various propellants and propulsion technologies.

Responsibilities

• Own development of new or existing propulsion products and lead the end-to-end process.
• Perform conceptual and detailed performance calculations and system modelling.
• Gather, define, and manage requirements; lead system engineering activities.
• Plan tests, set up instrumentation, execute tests, analyze data.
• Communicate with internal and external project stakeholders.
• Make risk-based technical decisions and guide teams to optimal solutions.
• Lead project management and schedule maintenance; assign tasks to engineers and technicians.
• Mentor and coach team members; uphold engineering standards and documentation.
• Contribute to Rocket Lab's engineering processes and standards.

Skills

Propulsion modelling

Static and transient analysis

Model validation with test data

End-to-end development process

Systems engineering leadership

Python for data manipulation

Decision making under risk

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Amesim

EcosimPro

Simulink

Jama

NX (CAD)

Teamcenter / Windchill

Job description

Rocket Lab seeks a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II in Long Beach, CA. You will own propulsion system development, lead end-to-end design, modelling, testing, and risk-based decisions for civil, commercial, and defense programs.

You will mentor teammates, drive system integration, and contribute to Rocket Lab's propulsion engineering standards while collaborating with stakeholders across Space Systems.