Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer I

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

ESPP

Medical plans

Dental & vision

401(k) matching

Onsite gym

Employee discounts

Job summary

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer I to own propulsion development and drive end-to-end design and testing for civil, commercial, and defense programs.

You will perform CAD-based designs, perform performance calculations, review drawings, and lead test planning and data analysis while coordinating with internal and external stakeholders. US citizenship and ability to obtain clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• Experience in propulsion system development.
• US citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own development of new or existing products or systems, acting as technical lead to guide team through end-to-end development process.
• Conceptual and detailed designs in CAD for propulsion system components, as well as performance calculations and analysis.
• Review and approval of others' drawings, 3D PMI, reports, and specifications.
• Test planning, setup, instrumentation, execution, and data analysis.
• Communicate with project stakeholders internal and external to the team.
• Technical risk-based decision making to the right/best solution when faced with an engineering challenge.
• Project management including schedule building and maintenance, identifying top priority items, tasking of other engineers and technicians, and communication of status to leadership and other teams.
• Mentorship and coaching of people within the team on technical and professional development.
• Defining and maintaining standard of excellence for their team through documentation, training, coaching, and review of others’ work.
• Contributing to engineering process development and documentation at Rocket Lab related to areas of experience.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s or PhD in engineering

Tools

NX CAD

Teamcenter / Windchill

Job description

Long Beach, CA

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SPACECRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEMS ENGINEER I

We're currently seeking a Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer I for our propulsion engineering team based out of Long Beach, CA. As a Propulsion Components Engineer, you're responsible for system-level and component-level ownership of space systems propulsion and fluidic development. This team supports our Space Systems division, and leads cutting-edge programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers.

WHAT YOU’LL G​ET TO DO:

• Own development of new or existing products or systems, acting as technical lead to guide team through end-to-end development process.
• Conceptual and detailed designs in CAD for propulsion system components, as well as performance calculations and analysis.
• Review and approval of others' drawings, 3D PMI, reports, and specifications.
• Test planning, setup, instrumentation, execution, and data analysis.
• Communicate with project stakeholders internal and external to the team.
• Technical risk-based decision making to the right/best solution when faced with an engineering challenge.
• Project management including schedule building and maintenance, identifying top priority items, tasking of other engineers and technicians, and communication of status to leadership and other teams.
• Mentorship and coaching of people within the team on technical and professional development.
• Defining and maintaining standard of excellence for their team through documentation, training, coaching, and review of others’ work.
• Contributing to engineering process development and documentation at Rocket Lab related to areas of experience.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• Experience in propulsion system development or other high-performance field.
• US citizenship is required, due to program requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• A genuine passion for engineering, curious mindset, and willingness to learn.
• Detailed mechanical design experience using NX (preferred) or equivalent industry standard CAD software and Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter (preferred), Windchill, or similar.
• Comfortable working with high levels of ambiguity.
• Ability to make decisions using basic engineering principles, available literature and standards, technical risk assessments, test data, and physics-based models.
• Experience working on propulsion systems utilizing different storable propellants, such as electrical and chemical.
• Track record of design reviews and approving release of flight parts, qual reports and decisions for flight hardware.
• Practice in identifying the necessary steps to achieve high level technical goals, scheduling them in a plan, and managing delivery against that plan.
• Experience developing requirement and verification sets, as well as writing test plans, performing testing, and writing test reports.
• Experience with end-to-end development process including gathering requirements, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing.
• Capabilities using Python for data manipulation and post-processing.
• Demonstrated hands‑on engineering skills, inside or outside the workplace.
• Hands‑on integration and testing experience (ideally using NI equipment and software).
• Experience with GD&T and engineering drawings.
• Experience using Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter (preferred), Windchill, or similar.
• Experience with testing and troubleshooting flight hardware.
• Master's or PhD in engineering.

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock‑price performance.

Join one of the world's fastest‑growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you’ll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry‑leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top‑tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$89,000 - $125,000 USD

$82,000 - $123,000 USD

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out‑think, out‑work, and out‑pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here .

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.