Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Test Engineer

Rocket Lab USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock purchase program

Health insurance

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick leave

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA seeks a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Test Engineer I based in Long Beach, CA to plan, prepare, and execute engine and propulsion component testing. You will own the test facility, equipment, and test operations, delivering test-driven insights that improve reliability and performance.

Join a team focused on the full testing lifecycle, collaborating with engineers and leadership to advance missions and space systems, including NASA and national security programs.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of rocket engine test engineering or equivalent high-performance field.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or related).
• Willingness to travel to test facilities and work off-site for extended periods.
• Experience with engine test facilities and hot-fire testing liquid rocket engines, including instrumentation and data analysis.
• Expertise in instrumentation, automation, and data acquisition using National Instruments or Beckhoff PLC.

Responsibilities

• Set and maintain best practices for all aspects of testing.
• Provide guidance, training, mentorship, and technical leadership on testing methodologies.
• Review and sign off on test plans and test reports to ensure quality.
• Support risk-based decision making to guide the team through challenges.
• Own the full testing lifecycle: planning, setup, instrumentation, execution, data analysis, reporting.
• Apply systems engineering mindset to testing activities and broader efforts.
• Communicate with stakeholders internal and external to the team.
• Define and uphold standards of excellence through coaching and review.

Skills

5+ years rocket engine test experience

Team leadership

Test planning & data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics)

Master's or PhD (preferred)

Tools

Instrumentation

Automation

Data acquisition (NI/Beckhoff)

Job description

Rocket Lab USA seeks a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Test Engineer I based in Long Beach, CA to plan, prepare, and execute engine and propulsion component testing. You will own the test facility, equipment, and test operations, delivering test-driven insights that improve reliability and performance.

Join a team focused on the full testing lifecycle, collaborating with engineers and leadership to advance missions and space systems, including NASA and national security programs.