Lead Spacecraft Propulsion Test Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Top-tier medical benefits

Company equity

Vacation & holidays

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Test Engineer II based in Long Beach, CA. You will plan, prepare, and execute engine and propulsion testing, owning the test facility, equipment, and operations to support development, qualification, and production testing.

You will lead testing efforts, mentor the team, review plans/reports, and drive risk-based decisions. Expect collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and a focus on reliability and performance of propulsion systems.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in rocket engine test engineering or equivalent high-performance field.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or other technical engineering discipline).
• Ability to travel to test facilities and work off-site for extended periods.
• Prior work on engine test facilities and experience hot fire testing liquid rocket engines, including instrumentation, test operation, and data analysis.
• Expertise in instrumentation, automation, and data acquisition using National Instruments or Beckhoff PLC.

Responsibilities

• Set and maintain best practices for all aspects of testing, ensuring a high standard of excellence across the team.
• Provide guidance, training, mentorship, and technical leadership to team members on testing methodologies and processes.
• Review and sign off on test plans and test reports, ensuring quality and compliance with requirements.
• Support engineers and leadership with risk-based decision making to guide the team through development challenges.
• Own the full testing lifecycle, including test planning, setup, instrumentation, execution, data analysis, and reporting.
• Apply a systems engineering mindset to testing activities, integrating with broader engineering efforts.
• Communicate regularly and effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, both internal and external to the team.
• Define, document, and uphold standards of excellence through training, coaching, and review of others' work.
• Contribute to meaningful, career-defining projects alongside exceptional colleagues in a collaborative environment

Skills

Testing leadership

Mentorship

Risk assessment

Test planning

Systems engineering

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics)

Tools

National Instruments

Beckhoff PLC

Job description

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Test Engineer II based in Long Beach, CA. You will plan, prepare, and execute engine and propulsion testing, owning the test facility, equipment, and operations to support development, qualification, and production testing.

You will lead testing efforts, mentor the team, review plans/reports, and drive risk-based decisions. Expect collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and a focus on reliability and performance of propulsion systems.