Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Engineer Lead

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Medical, dental, vision plans

Paid time off and holidays

401(k) company match

EV charging subsidies

Onsite fitness centers

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer I to own propulsion system development for civil, commercial, and defense programs. You will lead end-to-end efforts, perform modelling and analysis, gather requirements, and mentor teammates. Strong communication and risk-based decision skills are essential.

The role features competitive Base Pay Range in CA, comprehensive benefits, and a path to advanced space systems projects within our Space Systems team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or other technical discipline).
• 5+ years of propulsion system development or equivalent high-performance field.
• US citizenship is required for program requirements.
• Experience with end-to-end development: requirements, design, qualification, production, testing.
• Experience with Systems Engineering V and risk-based decision making.
• Experience with propulsion systems using different storable propellants.

Responsibilities

• Own development of new or existing products or systems as technical lead.
• Perform performance calculations, modelling, analysis, and system designs.
• Gather and manage requirements and lead systems engineering activities.
• Plan tests, set up instrumentation, analyze data, and communicate results.
• Mentor teammates and define standards of excellence for the team.
• Contribute to Rocket Lab engineering processes and documentation.

Skills

Propulsion system modelling

Static and transient analysis

Model validation with test data

Technical risk-based decision making

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Amesim

EcosimPro

Simulink

Simscape

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer I to own propulsion system development for civil, commercial, and defense programs. You will lead end-to-end efforts, perform modelling and analysis, gather requirements, and mentor teammates. Strong communication and risk-based decision skills are essential.

The role features competitive Base Pay Range in CA, comprehensive benefits, and a path to advanced space systems projects within our Space Systems team.