Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Test Engineer

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 208,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Employee stock purchase program

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Test Engineer I to plan, prepare, and execute engine and propulsion tests. You will own the test facility, instrument, run tests, and deliver data-driven insights for development and production testing.

You’ll lead test planning, setup, data analysis, and reporting; mentor teammates; ensure quality and compliance; and travel to test sites as needed.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of rocket engine test engineering experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics).
• Ability to travel to test facilities and work off-site.
• Experience hot fire testing liquid rocket engines with instrumentation and data analysis.
• Expertise in instrumentation, automation, and data acquisition (NI/Beckhoff).

Responsibilities

• Set and maintain best testing practices with high team standards.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and technical leadership on testing methods.
• Review test plans/reports to ensure quality and compliance.
• Support risk-based decisions to guide development challenges.
• Own testing lifecycle from planning to data reporting.
• Apply systems engineering mindset to testing activities.
• Communicate with internal/external stakeholders regularly.
• Define and uphold standards of excellence through coaching.
• Contribute to meaningful projects with exceptional colleagues.

Skills

Rocket engine test

Instrumentation

Automation

Data acquisition

Leadership potential

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Aerospace / mechanical / mechatronics

Tools

National Instruments

Beckhoff PLC

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Test Engineer I to plan, prepare, and execute engine and propulsion tests. You will own the test facility, instrument, run tests, and deliver data-driven insights for development and production testing.

You’ll lead test planning, setup, data analysis, and reporting; mentor teammates; ensure quality and compliance; and travel to test sites as needed.