Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. The Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions for civil, commercial, and defense customers including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
The Role
As Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II, you'll own system-level and component-level development of space propulsion and fluidic systems. You'll work as a technical lead guiding your team through end-to-end development for cutting-edge programs.
What You'll Do
- Own development of new or existing propulsion products and systems as technical lead
- Perform conceptual and detailed performance calculations, systems modelling, analysis, and system design
- Gather, define, and manage requirements; lead systems engineering activities
- Plan, setup, execute, and analyze propulsion testing and data
- Communicate with internal and external project stakeholders
- Make technical risk-based decisions on engineering solutions
- Manage project schedule, prioritize work, task engineers and technicians, report status to leadership
- Mentor and coach team members on technical and professional development
- Define and maintain team excellence through documentation, training, and review of others' work
- Contribute to engineering process development and documentation
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering discipline
- 2+ years 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
- Expertise in propulsion system modelling, static and transient analysis using Amesim, EcosimPro, Simulink, Simscape, or similar
- Experience with storable propellants including electrical and chemical systems
- End-to-end development experience including requirements, design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing
- Strong grasp of Systems Engineering V and risk-based decision making
- Experience with Jama, Python for data manipulation, and NX or equivalent CAD
- Experience with GD&T, engineering drawings, and PLM software such as Teamcenter or Windchill
- National Instruments data acquisition systems and flight hardware testing experience
- Master's or PhD in engineering
- Demonstrated hands-on engineering skills and ability to work with high ambiguity
Compensation
Base salary: $100,000-$150,000 USD. Total compensation including equity: $111,000-$168,000 USD. Equity grant value designed around function, level, experience, and other factors.
Benefits
Competitive benefits package including company stock as part of 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, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and various other employee discounts.
Working Conditions
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 Security
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including ITAR, employees must be U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, lawfully admitted refugee or asylee, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from U.S. Department of State or Commerce.