Senior Propulsion Components Engineer I/II

Rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top tier medical HMO/PPO

Company-sponsored medical HSA plan

401(k) retirement plan with company match

Paid vacation and sick leave

Job summary

Rocketlab is seeking a Senior Propulsion Components Engineer I/II in Long Beach, CA, responsible for the development and support of propulsion systems for various applications. The role requires a strong background in mechanical design and propulsion system development, with significant contributions to project management and mentorship.

Candidates should possess at least 5 years of experience or more for level II positions, ideally working knowledge of NX CAD software and the ability to work in a team environment. The position offers a competitive salary and extensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in propulsion system development.
• Detailed mechanical design experience using NX CAD software.
• US citizenship and willingness to obtain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own development of new or existing propulsion components.
• Conduct performance calculations and analysis.
• Review and approve technical drawings and specifications.
• Conduct test planning and execution.

Skills

Propulsion system development

Mechanical design

Excellent communication skills

Hands-on integration and testing

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

NX CAD software

Teamcenter

NI equipment

Job description

SENIOR PROPULSION COMPONENTS ENGINEER I/II

We are currently seeking a Senior Propulsion Components Engineer I/II for our propulsion engineering team based out of Long Beach, CA. As a Propulsion Components 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.

NOTE: This position can be hired at either level I or II.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO

• 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 designs in CAD for propulsion system components as well as performance calculations and analysis.
• Review and approval of others’ drawings, 3D PMI, reports, and specifications.
• 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 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 the 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.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR PROPULSION COMPONENTS ENGINEER I

• 5+ 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).
• Detailed mechanical design experience using NX (preferred) or equivalent industry‑standard CAD software and product lifecycle management software such as Teamcenter (preferred), Windchill, or similar.
• Track record of design reviews and approving release of flight parts, qualification reports and decisions for flight hardware.
• Experience with end‑to‑end development process including gathering requirements, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well within a team environment.
• Hands‑on integration and testing experience (ideally using NI equipment and software).
• Experience working on propulsion systems utilizing different storable propellants, such as electrical and chemical.
• US citizenship and willingness to obtain a security clearance required, due to program requirements.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR PROPULSION COMPONENTS ENGINEER II

• 8+ 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).
• Detailed mechanical design experience using NX (preferred) or equivalent industry‑standard CAD software and product lifecycle management software such as Teamcenter (preferred), Windchill, or similar.
• Track record of design reviews and approving release of flight parts, qualification reports and decisions for flight hardware.
• Experience with end‑to‑end development process including gathering requirements, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well within a team environment.
• Hands‑on integration and testing experience (ideally using NI equipment and software).
• Experience working on propulsion systems utilizing different storable propellants, such as electrical and chemical.
• US citizenship and willingness to obtain a security clearance required, due to program requirements.

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 developing requirement and verification sets, as well as writing test plans, performing testing, and writing test reports.
• Capabilities using Python for data manipulation and post‑processing.
• Demonstrated hands‑on engineering skills, inside or outside the workplace.
• 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.

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.

PAY RANGE (CA ONLY)

$132,000 — $176,000 USD

BENEFITS PACKAGE

Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including: top tier medical HMO, PPO, 100% company‑sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation, 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

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.

APPLICATION PROCESS EQUIPPED FOR ACCESSIBILITY

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.

IMPORTANT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION (US OFFICES)

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 (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.

IMPORTANT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION (NEW ZEALAND OFFICES)

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 do not 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.