Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II 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, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Space Systems Division
Our Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and subsystems including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios. The team has enabled more than 1,700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration to national security initiatives, with spacecraft and components for missions to the Moon and Mars. Partners include NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
The Role
As a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II based in Long Beach, CA, you will own system-level and component-level development of space systems propulsion and fluidic systems. You will act as technical lead guiding your team through end-to-end development for civil, commercial, and defense customers.
What You'll Do
- Own development of new or existing propulsion products and systems
- Lead conceptual and detailed performance calculations, systems modelling, analysis, and system designs
- Gather, define, and manage requirements
- Conduct systems engineering activities and provide team leadership
- Plan, set up, execute, and analyze tests
- Communicate with internal and external stakeholders
- Make technical risk-based decisions to select the best engineering solution
- Manage project schedules, identify priorities, task other 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 work
- Contribute to engineering process development and documentation
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, or other technical discipline
- 8 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 process and risk-based decision making
- Experience with propulsion systems utilizing different storable propellants, including electrical and chemical
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's or PhD degree
- Demonstrated hands-on engineering skills inside or outside the workplace
- Experience with Jama
- Python proficiency for data manipulation and post-processing
- 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
- Flight hardware testing and troubleshooting experience
Compensation and Benefits
Base salary: $132,000 to $220,000 USD. Total compensation including equity: $165,000 to $277,000 USD. Equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.
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 where available, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and other 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.
Requirements and Restrictions
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including ITAR, employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), or 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.