Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company stock

Employee Stock Purchase Program (15%)}

Top-tier medical plans

Dental and vision

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

401(k) with company match

EV charging subsidy

Onsite fitness centers

Discounted gym memberships

Snacks and beverages

50% discount on merch store

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II to own system‑level and component‑level propulsion development for civil, commercial, and defense missions. You will lead end‑to‑end development, perform performance calculations and modelling, gather requirements, and guide the engineering team through design, qualification, and testing.

Rocket Lab offers stock, competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, ESOP discount, and a culture of innovation across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or other technical discipline).
• 8+ years of experience in propulsion system development, or other high‑performance field.
• US citizenship is required, due to program requirements.
• Expertise in propulsion system modelling, static and transient analysis, and model validation using test data software such as Amesim, EcosimPro, Simulink, or Simscape
• Experience with end‑to‑end development process, including gathering requirements, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing
• Experience with all steps in the Systems Engineering V and risk‑based decision making
• Experience working on propulsion systems utilizing different storable propellants, such as electrical and chemical

Responsibilities

• Own development of new or existing propulsion products or systems, acting as technical lead through end‑to‑end development.
• Perform performance calculations, systems modelling, analysis, and design.
• Gather and manage requirements; lead systems engineering activities within the team.
• Plan tests, instrumentation, and data analysis; communicate status to stakeholders.
• Provide mentorship and define standards for the team and process improvements.

Skills

Propulsion modelling

Static analysis

Transient analysis

Model validation

Requirements management

Systems engineering

End-to-end development

Python data manipulation

Jama

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s or PhD

Tools

Amesim

EcosimPro

Simulink

Simscape

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II to own system‑level and component‑level propulsion development for civil, commercial, and defense missions. You will lead end‑to‑end development, perform performance calculations and modelling, gather requirements, and guide the engineering team through design, qualification, and testing.

Rocket Lab offers stock, competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, ESOP discount, and a culture of innovation across