Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer I Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, and expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
The Role
We seek a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer to join our propulsion engineering team in Long Beach, CA. You will own system-level and component-level development of space systems propulsion and fluidic systems. These programs serve civil, commercial, and defense customers.
What You Will Do
- Own development of new or existing propulsion products or systems, acting as technical lead through end-to-end development
- Perform conceptual and detailed performance calculations, systems modelling, analysis, and system design
- Gather, define, and manage requirements
- Lead systems engineering activities within the team
- Plan, set up, instrument, execute tests, and analyse data
- Communicate with internal and external project stakeholders
- Apply technical risk-based decision making to engineering challenges
- Manage project schedules, identify priorities, task engineers and technicians, and report status to leadership
- Mentor and coach team members on technical and professional development
- Define and maintain standards of excellence through documentation, training, and review of others' work
- Contribute to engineering process development and documentation at Rocket Lab
Your Background
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, or related technical discipline
- 5 or more years of experience in propulsion system development or other high-performance field
- US citizenship required due to program requirements
- Expertise in propulsion system modelling, static and transient analysis, and model validation using software such as Amesim, EcosimPro, Simulink, or Simscape
- Experience with end-to-end development including requirements gathering, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing
- Knowledge of all steps in the Systems Engineering V and risk-based decision making
- Experience with propulsion systems using storable propellants including electrical and chemical systems
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated hands-on engineering skills inside or outside the workplace
- Comfortable working with high levels of ambiguity
- Ability to make decisions using basic engineering principles, available literature, standards, technical risk assessments, test data, and physics-based models
- Experience planning and managing delivery of high-level technical goals
- Experience with Jama
- Python for data manipulation and post-processing
- Detailed mechanical design using NX or equivalent industry standard CAD software
- Experience with GD&T and engineering drawings
- Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter, Windchill, or similar
- National Instruments data acquisition systems
- Testing and troubleshooting of flight hardware
- Master's or PhD
Compensation and Benefits
Base pay range for California: $115,200 to $158,400 USD, determined based on job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.
You will receive company stock as part of your total compensation package. Additional benefits include an Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, medical plans (HMO, PPO, and 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) retirement plan with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers where available, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and various employee discounts.
Working Conditions
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work. Occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
Employment Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident with current Green Card, lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce.