Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Test 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.

The Role

As a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Test Engineer II on our propulsion engineering team in Long Beach, CA, you will plan, prepare for, and execute engine and propulsion component testing. You will own the test facility, equipment, and test operations, playing a critical role in successful development, qualification, and production testing. You will be involved with engine and propulsion system development from cradle-to-grave, providing test-driven insights that improve reliability, manufacturability, testability, and performance.

What You Will Do

• Set and maintain best practices for all aspects of testing, ensuring a high standard of excellence across the team
• Provide guidance, training, mentorship, and technical leadership to team members on testing methodologies and processes
• Review and sign off on test plans and test reports, ensuring quality and compliance with requirements
• Support engineers and leadership with risk-based decision making to guide the team through development challenges
• Own the full testing lifecycle, including test planning, setup, instrumentation, execution, data analysis, and reporting
• Apply a systems engineering mindset to testing activities, integrating with broader engineering efforts
• Communicate regularly and effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, both internal and external to the team
• Define, document, and uphold standards of excellence through training, coaching, and review of others' work

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in rocket engine test engineering, or equivalent high-performance field
• Bachelor's degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or other technical engineering discipline)
• Ability to travel to test facilities and work off-site for extended periods
• Prior work on engine test facilities and experience hot fire testing liquid rocket engines, including instrumentation, test operation, and data analysis
• Expertise in instrumentation, automation, and data acquisition using either National Instruments or Beckhoff PLC

Nice to Have

• Experience working with hypergolic propellants, or experience designing, building, or maintaining flight or GSE systems for hypergolic propellant service
• Excited by the opportunity to establish a new capability for Rocket Lab and the country
• Great communication skills and the ability to lead a team to execute a technical project with understanding of technical project management and systems engineering
• Genuine passion for engineering, strong attention to detail, and an eagerness to learn
• Excellent documentation and organization of engineering information, including test plans, test reports, and facility configuration management
• Track record of successfully investigating and resolving the root causes of anomalies during testing or flight
• Strong understanding of standard aerospace testing including random vibration, shock, thermal cycle, thermal vacuum, helium leak, accelerated life, and margined performance testing
• Experience with getting government approvals through NEPA, permitting, or similar processes for construction, industrial, or test operations
• Capabilities using Python for data manipulation and post-processing
• Experience with 1D fluid system modelling
• Master's or PhD

Compensation and Benefits

Base pay range for CA: $132,000 to $198,000 USD. Compensation includes company stock. Benefits include Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, 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 merchandise, and other employee discounts.

Requirements

This position requires US person status for ITAR compliance. You must be a US citizen, lawful US permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the US Department of State and/or US Department of Commerce.

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.