Senior Electric Propulsion Engineer II Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. Our Space Systems team has enabled over 1,700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration to national security, partnering with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
The Role
We are seeking a Senior Electric Propulsion Engineer II based in Long Beach, CA. You will take system-level and component-level ownership of space systems propulsion and fluidic development, supporting our Space Systems division and leading cutting-edge programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers.
What You Will Do
- Own development of new or existing propulsion products or systems, acting as technical lead through the end-to-end development process
- Perform conceptual and detailed performance calculations, systems modelling, analysis, and system designs
- Gather, define, and manage requirements
- Lead systems engineering activities within the team
- Plan, set up, execute tests with instrumentation and perform data analysis
- Communicate with project stakeholders internal and external to the team
- Make technical risk-based decisions to identify the right solution for engineering challenges
- Manage projects including schedule building, priority identification, tasking of engineers and technicians, and status communication to leadership
- Mentor and coach team members on technical and professional development
- Define and maintain excellence standards through documentation, training, and review of others' work
- Contribute to engineering process development and documentation at Rocket Lab
Your Qualifications
- 8 or more years of experience in propulsion system development or equivalent high-performance field
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or other technical engineering discipline
- Expertise in propulsion system modelling, static and transient analysis, and model validation using test data with software such as Amesim, EcosimPro, Simulink, or Simscape
- Experience with end-to-end development including requirements gathering, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing
- Strong grasp of Systems Engineering V and risk-based decision making
- Experience working on electric propulsion systems
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
Nice to Have
- Master's or PhD degree
- Experience with Jama
- Python capabilities for data manipulation and post-processing
- Detailed mechanical design experience using NX or equivalent CAD software
- Experience with GD&T and engineering drawings
- Product Lifecycle Management software experience such as Teamcenter, Windchill, or similar
- National Instruments data acquisition systems experience
- Testing and troubleshooting flight hardware experience
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work well within a team
- Demonstrated hands-on engineering skills inside or outside the workplace
Compensation
Base salary: $132,000 to $220,000 USD
Total compensation (base and equity): $165,000 to $277,000 USD
Compensation is determined based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. You will receive company stock as part of your total compensation package.
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits include an industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (15% discount on company stock), medical plans (HMO, PPO, zero-cost HDHP with 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, 401(k) with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers where available, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on company merchandise, and additional employee discounts.
Work Environment
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.