Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer I 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.
The Team
Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration to national security and defense initiatives. We build spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
The Role
As a Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer I, you will take system-level and component-level ownership of space systems propulsion and fluidic development. You will support our Space Systems division on cutting-edge programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers.
What You Will Do
- Own development of new or existing products or systems, acting as technical lead to guide the team through the end-to-end development process
- Perform conceptual and detailed mechanical design in CAD for propulsion system components, including performance calculations and analysis
- Review and approve drawings, 3D PMI, reports, and specifications from other engineers
- Plan, set up, instrument, execute, and analyze test data for propulsion systems
- Communicate with project stakeholders internal and external to the team
- Apply technical risk-based decision making to select the right solution when faced with engineering challenges
- Manage projects including schedule building and maintenance, prioritization, tasking of other engineers and technicians, and status communication 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
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
- Experience in propulsion system development or other high-performance field
- US citizenship is required due to program requirements
- Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
Preferred Qualifications
- Detailed mechanical design experience using NX (preferred) or equivalent industry standard CAD software
- Product Lifecycle Management software experience 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 with end-to-end development process including requirements gathering, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing
- Hands-on integration and testing experience, ideally using National Instruments equipment and software
- Experience developing requirement and verification sets, writing test plans, and writing test reports
- Capabilities using Python for data manipulation and post-processing
- Experience with GD&T and engineering drawings
- Experience with testing and troubleshooting flight hardware
- Master's or PhD in engineering
- Demonstrated hands-on engineering skills
- Comfortable working with high levels of ambiguity
Compensation and Benefits
Base salary: $82,000 to $123,000 USD. Total compensation (base and equity): $89,000 to $125,000 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, an industry-leading 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, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and additional employee discounts.
Requirements and 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.
US citizenship is required to conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (current 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 or U.S. Department of Commerce.
Background checks will be undertaken prior to employment offers.