Spacecraft Propulsion Components Engineer I Verified today
About the role
Rocket Lab is seeking a Spacecraft Propulsion Components Engineer I for the propulsion engineering team in Long Beach, CA. You will have system-level and component-level ownership of space systems propulsion and fluidic development, supporting our Space Systems division on cutting-edge programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers.
What you will do
- Own development of new or existing propulsion products or systems, acting as technical lead to guide the team through end-to-end development
- Perform conceptual and detailed CAD design of propulsion system components, including performance calculations and analysis
- Review and approve drawings, 3D PMI, reports, and specifications from other engineers
- Plan and execute testing, including setup, instrumentation, and data analysis
- Communicate with project stakeholders internal and external to the team
- Make technical risk-based decisions to identify the best engineering solutions
- 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 others' work
- Contribute to engineering process development and documentation at Rocket Lab
Required qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
- Experience in propulsion system development or other high-performance field
- US citizenship required due to program requirements
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
Preferred qualifications
- Detailed mechanical design experience using NX (preferred) or equivalent CAD software and Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter (preferred), Windchill, or similar
- Experience working on propulsion systems utilizing different storable propellants, such as electrical and chemical
- Track record of design reviews and approving release of flight parts, qualification reports, and decisions for flight hardware
- Experience developing requirement and verification sets, writing test plans, performing testing, and writing test reports
- Experience with end-to-end development process including gathering requirements, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing
- Capabilities using Python for data manipulation and post-processing
- Hands-on integration and testing experience, ideally using National Instruments equipment and software
- Experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and engineering drawings
- Experience testing and troubleshooting flight hardware
- Master's or PhD in engineering
- Genuine passion for engineering with a curious mindset and willingness to learn
- Ability to make decisions using basic engineering principles, available literature, standards, technical risk assessments, test data, and physics-based models
- Comfortable working with high levels of ambiguity
Compensation and benefits
Base salary range: $82,000 to $123,000 USD. Total compensation (base and equity) range: $89,000 to $125,000 USD.
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) 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 other employee discounts.
Requirements and 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.
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 (current Green Card holder), lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce.