Principal Electric Propulsion Engineer

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 162,000 - 243,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Medical plans

Dental and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan with company 1:

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Principal Electric Propulsion Engineer to lead propulsion system development for civil, commercial, and defense programs. You’ll own system-level to component-level ownership, mentor engineers, and drive end-to-end development within the Space Systems division.

The role prioritizes mastery in propulsion modelling, systems engineering, and risk-based decision making, with a path to leadership and impact on missions from Moon to Earth observation.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of propulsion system development or equivalent high-performance field.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or other technical discipline).
• Expertise in propulsion system modelling, static/transient analysis, and model validation using test data (Amesim, EcosimPro, Simulink, Simscape).
• Experience with end-to-end development processes including requirements, design, qualification, production, testing.
• Strong grasp of Systems Engineering V and risk-based decision making.
• Experience with electric propulsion systems.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements and security clearances.

Responsibilities

• Own development of new or existing propulsion products or systems as technical lead.
• Perform performance calculations, system modelling, analysis, and designs.
• Gather/define/manage requirements; lead systems engineering activities.
• Plan tests, instrumentation, and data analysis; manage risks.

Skills

Propulsion system development

End-to-end development process

Systems Engineering V

Electrical propulsion experience

Security clearance readiness

U.S. citizenship per program

Decision making under risk

Team leadership & mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (aerospace/mechanical/mechatronics)

Tools

Amesim

EcosimPro

Simulink

Simscape

Job description

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

PRINCIPAL ELECTRIC PROPULSION ENGINEER

We’re currently seeking a Principal Electric Propulsion Engineer for our propulsion engineering team based out of Long Beach, CA. As an Electric Propulsion Engineer, you are responsible for system-level and component-level ownership of space systems propulsion and fluidic development. These teams support our Space Systems division, and lead cutting-edge programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers.

What You’ll Get To Do

• Own 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
• Communicate 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
• Mentor and coach people within the team on technical and professional development
• Define and maintain standard of excellence for their team through documentation, training, coaching, and review of others’ work
• Contribute to engineering process development and documentation at Rocket Lab related to areas of experience

You’ll Bring These Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in propulsion system development, or equivalent high-performance field
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or other technical engineering discipline)
• Expertise in propulsion system modelling, static and transient analysis, and model validation using test data using 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
• Strong grasp of all steps in the Systems Engineering V and risk-based decision making
• Experience working one electric propulsion systems
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have

• A genuine passion for engineering, curious mindset, and willingness to learn
• Comfortable working with high levels of ambiguity
• Makes decisions using basic engineering principles, available literature and standards, technical risk assessments, test data, and physics-based models
• Practice in identifying the necessary steps to achieve high level technical goals, scheduling them in a plan, and managing delivery against that plan
• Experience with Jama
• Capabilities using Python for data manipulation and post-processing
• Detailed mechanical design experience using NX (preferred) or equivalent industry standard CAD software
• Experience with GD&T and engineering drawings
• Experience using Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter (preferred), Windchill, or similar
• Experience using National Instruments data acquisition systems
• Experience with testing and troubleshooting flight hardware
• Masters or PhD
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well within a team environment
• Demonstrated hands on engineering skills, inside or outside the workplace

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

Base Pay Range (CA Only): $162,000 USD - $243,000 USD

What To Expect

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important Information

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.