Lead Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Comprehensive health plans

Dental and vision coverage

Vacation and holidays

Job summary

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team in Long Beach, CA seeks a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer I responsible for system- and component-level propulsion and fluidics development. You’ll own end-to-end propulsion programs across civil, commercial, and defense customers, guiding multidisciplinary teams.

The role requires a Bachelor's in engineering, 5+ years in propulsion, active TS/SCI-eligible clearance, and US citizenship. Expertise in modelling and data-driven validation is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or other technical discipline)
• 5+ years of propulsion system development experience
• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• US citizenship is required due to program requirements
• Expertise in propulsion system modelling, static and transient analysis, and model validation using test data software (Amesim, EcosimPro, Simulink, Simscape)
• Experience with end-to-end development processes (requirements, design, qualification, production, testing)
• Experience with Systems Engineering V and risk-based decision making
• Experience with propulsion systems using different propellants (storable propellants)

Responsibilities

• Own development of new or existing propulsion products or systems as technical lead
• Perform conceptual and detailed performance calculations and system modelling
• Gather and manage requirements across the project
• Lead systems engineering activities within the team
• Plan, set up, and execute tests with data analysis
• Communicate with stakeholders internal and external to the team
• Make risk-based technical decisions for optimal solutions
• Oversee project scheduling, milestones, and team tasks
• Mentor team members in technical and professional growth
• Contribute to engineering process development and documentation

Skills

Propulsion modelling

Static & transient analysis

Model validation

End-to-end development

Systems engineering

Python for data manipulation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s or PhD (nice-to-have)

Tools

Amesim

EcosimPro

Simulink

Simscape

Job description

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team in Long Beach, CA seeks a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer I responsible for system- and component-level propulsion and fluidics development. You’ll own end-to-end propulsion programs across civil, commercial, and defense customers, guiding multidisciplinary teams.

The role requires a Bachelor's in engineering, 5+ years in propulsion, active TS/SCI-eligible clearance, and US citizenship. Expertise in modelling and data-driven validation is essential.