Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Components Engineer I

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Components Engineer I to own propulsion system and component development for space systems. You will lead design reviews and drive flight hardware qualification through testing, collaborating with propulsion and systems teams.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in propulsion development, strong NX/PLM experience, and hands-on testing capabilities, with excellent communication skills and a team-first mindset.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of propulsion system development.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics or related).
• Design experience with NX and PLM software (Teamcenter/Windchill).
• Track record of design reviews and flight hardware release decisions.
• End-to-end development experience from requirements to testing.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Hands-on integration and testing experience with NI equipment.

Responsibilities

• Own propulsion system and component development for space systems.
• Lead design reviews and approve release of flight hardware.
• Oversee end-to-end development from requirements through testing and production.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet program requirements.
• Support integration and testing using NI equipment and software.

Skills

Propulsion system development

NX CAD

Teamcenter/Windchill PLM

Flight hardware design reviews

End-to-end development

Python data manipulation

Hands-on testing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

NX CAD

Teamcenter/Windchill

National Instruments data acquisition

Job description

Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Components Engineer I

We are currently seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Components Engineer I 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.

You’ll Bring These Qualifications

• 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, qual 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
• Master\'s or PhD

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.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations. Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail].

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 ITAR.