Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Engineer - Lead & Systems

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

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock purchase program

Stock equity included

Comprehensive medical plans

401(k) with company match

Equity and performance incentives

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer I to lead system-level propulsion development for civil, commercial, and defense programs. You will own end-to-end design, modelling, and testing, working across a multi-disciplinary team.

The role requires a Bachelor's in engineering, 5+ years in propulsion, and strong skills in modelling and simulations (Amesim, Simulink, NX).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or similar).
• 5+ years in propulsion system development or high-performance fields.
• US citizenship is required for ITAR/compliance.
• Experience with propulsion modelling, static/transient analysis and model validation.
• End-to-end development experience from requirements to testing.
• Knowledge of Systems Engineering V model and risk-based decision making.
• Experience with various propellants (electrical/chemical) in propulsion.

Responsibilities

• Own development of new or existing propulsion products and act as technical lead.
• Perform performance calculations, modelling, analysis, and design.
• Gather and manage requirements; lead systems engineering activities.
• Plan tests, set up instrumentation, execute, and analyze data.
• Mentor engineers and drive engineering process improvements.

Skills

Propulsion modelling

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Python data processing

Risk-based decisions

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's or PhD

Tools

Amesim

EcosimPro

Simulink

Simscape

NX CAD

Teamcenter

Windchill

National Instruments

Jama

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer I to lead system-level propulsion development for civil, commercial, and defense programs. You will own end-to-end design, modelling, and testing, working across a multi-disciplinary team.

The role requires a Bachelor's in engineering, 5+ years in propulsion, and strong skills in modelling and simulations (Amesim, Simulink, NX).