Senior Propulsion Engineer II — Archimedes Engine Expert

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 277,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock purchase program

Equity grant

Company stock

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Propulsion Engineer II in California to lead design, testing, and operation of the Archimedes Engine family for the Neutron program. You will own subsystems, drive testing campaigns, analyze data, and refine designs for reliability and vehicle operations.

This role requires 8+ years of rocket engine experience, strong fluid dynamics and thermodynamics knowledge, and collaboration across engineering disciplines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in rocket engine development, testing, or operations.
• Strong technical understanding of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, cryogenic systems, and rocket engine architecture.
• Familiarity with engine P&IDs, fluid system routing, and hotfire data reviews.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, test, fly, and refly next generation propulsion hardware ensuring operational readiness and flight success.
• Develop and execute test plans, including qualification and acceptance testing, and conduct post-test data reviews to refine designs and processes.
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines to optimize engine performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Generate high-level plans and prioritize tasks across teams, resolving competing priorities and ensuring alignment with program goals.
• Mentor and guide engineers, fostering technical growth and collaboration.
• Work with manufacturing, testing and vehicle operation teams to support engine needs, operation, and resolve issues each part of the engine lifecycle.

Skills

Fluid dynamics

Thermodynamics

Cryogenic systems

Rocket engine architecture

P&IDs familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Tools

P&IDs

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Propulsion Engineer II in California to lead design, testing, and operation of the Archimedes Engine family for the Neutron program. You will own subsystems, drive testing campaigns, analyze data, and refine designs for reliability and vehicle operations.

This role requires 8+ years of rocket engine experience, strong fluid dynamics and thermodynamics knowledge, and collaboration across engineering disciplines.