Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Test Lead

Telemetry Today LLC; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EV charging

Onsite fitness centers

Discount on company merch (50%)

Paid holidays (11)

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA, is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Test Engineer I to plan, prepare for, and execute engine and propulsion component testing. You will own test facilities, equipment, and operations, driving reliable development, qualification, and production testing that underpins mission success.

You will lead testing activities with a systems engineering mindset, mentor teammates, review test plans, and communicate with stakeholders across programs.

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 for extended periods.
• Prior work on engine test facilities and experience hot fire testing liquid rocket engines, including instrumentation, test operation, and data analysis.
• Expertise in instrumentation, automation, and data acquisition using either National Instruments or Beckhoff PLC.

Responsibilities

• Set and maintain best practices for all aspects of testing, ensuring a high standard of excellence across the team.
• Provide guidance, training, mentorship, and technical leadership to team members on testing methodologies and processes.
• Review and sign off on test plans and test reports, ensuring quality and compliance with requirements.
• Support engineers and leadership with risk-based decision making to guide the team through development challenges.
• Own the full testing lifecycle, including test planning, setup, instrumentation, execution, data analysis, and reporting.
• Apply a systems engineering mindset to testing activities, integrating with broader engineering efforts.
• Communicate regularly and effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, both internal and external to the team.
• Define, document, and uphold standards of excellence through training, coaching, and review of others’ work.
• Contribute to meaningful, career-defining projects alongside exceptional colleagues in a collaborative environment

Skills

Rocket engine testing

Instrumentation

Automation

Data acquisition

Test planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

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 for, and execute engine and propulsion component testing. You will own test facilities, equipment, and operations, driving reliable development, qualification, and production testing that underpins mission success.

You will lead testing activities with a systems engineering mindset, mentor teammates, review test plans, and communicate with stakeholders across programs.