Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer I - Secret Clearance 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.

Space Systems

Our Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and components including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios. The team has enabled over 1,700 missions for NASA, the Space Development Agency, the U.S. Space Force, and commercial partners.

The Role

We're seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer I for our propulsion engineering team in Long Beach, CA. You are responsible for system-level and component-level ownership of space systems propulsion and fluidic development, supporting civil, commercial, and defense customers.

What You'll Do

• Own development of new or existing propulsion products or systems as technical lead
• Perform conceptual and detailed performance calculations, systems modelling, analysis, and design
• Gather, define, and manage requirements
• Lead systems engineering activities and provide technical leadership
• Plan and execute test campaigns, including instrumentation and data analysis
• Communicate with internal and external project stakeholders
• Make technical risk-based decisions to guide engineering solutions
• Manage project schedules, priorities, team tasking, and status communication
• Mentor and coach team members on technical and professional development
• Maintain standards of excellence through documentation, training, and review
• Contribute to engineering process development and documentation

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or other technical engineering discipline
• 5 or more years of experience in propulsion system development or other high-performance field
• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• U.S. 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: requirements, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing
• Experience with Systems Engineering V processes and risk-based decision making
• Experience with propulsion systems using storable propellants including electrical and chemical systems

Nice to Have

• Passion for engineering and willingness to learn
• Demonstrated hands-on engineering skills inside or outside the workplace
• Comfortable working with high levels of ambiguity
• Ability to make decisions using engineering principles, literature, standards, technical risk assessments, test data, and physics-based models
• Experience identifying technical steps, scheduling them, and managing delivery
• Experience with Jama
• Excellent communication skills and strong teamwork
• Python for data manipulation and post-processing
• Detailed mechanical design using NX or equivalent CAD software
• GD&T and engineering drawing experience
• Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter, Windchill, or similar
• National Instruments data acquisition systems
• Testing and troubleshooting flight hardware experience
• Master's or PhD

Compensation

Base salary: $115,000 to $173,000 USD. Total compensation including equity: $135,000 to $208,000 USD. Level and base salary determined on a case-by-case basis based on knowledge, skills, education, and experience.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits include company stock as part of total compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, medical plans (HMO, PPO, zero cost HDHP with HSA 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, gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, employee discount on merchandise, and additional employee discounts.

Working Conditions

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.

Eligibility

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including ITAR, you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or Department of Commerce.