Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II - 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 Division
Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration to in-space manufacturing and national security initiatives. We have built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
The Role
We're seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II for our propulsion engineering team 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'll Do
- Own development of new or existing products or systems, acting as technical lead to guide teams through the end-to-end development process
- 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 and execute testing, including setup, instrumentation, and data analysis
- Communicate with project stakeholders internally and externally
- Make technical risk-based decisions to select the best engineering solutions
- Manage project schedules, identify priorities, task engineers and technicians, and communicate 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
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or other technical engineering discipline
- 8 or more years of experience in propulsion system development or other high-performance field
- Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
- 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: requirements gathering, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing
- Experience with all steps in the Systems Engineering V and risk-based decision making
- Experience with propulsion systems utilizing different storable propellants, including electrical and chemical
Preferred Qualifications
- A genuine 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 basic engineering principles, available literature, standards, technical risk assessments, test data, and physics-based models
- Experience identifying necessary steps to achieve technical goals, scheduling, and managing delivery
- Experience with Jama
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work well within a team
- 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
- Experience with Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter, Windchill, or similar
- Experience with National Instruments data acquisition systems
- Experience testing and troubleshooting flight hardware
- Master's or PhD
Compensation and Benefits
Base pay range (CA only): $132,000 to $198,000 USD. You will receive company stock as part of your total compensation package.
Benefits include an Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, medical plans (HMO, PPO, zero cost HDHP with HSA), 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 401(k) with company match. Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on company merchandise, and various employee discounts.
Base salary will be determined case-by-case based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Working Conditions
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.
ITAR and Citizenship Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident with current Green Card, or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or Department of Commerce.