Spacecraft Propulsion Components Engineer II

About the role

We are seeking a Spacecraft Propulsion Components Engineer II for our propulsion engineering team based out of Long Beach, CA. This role supports our Space Systems division and involves leading cutting-edge programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers.

Responsibilities

• Own development of new or existing products or systems, acting as technical lead to guide team through end-to-end development process.
• Conceptual and detailed designs in CAD for propulsion system components, as well as performance calculations and analysis.
• Review and approval of others' drawings, 3D PMI, reports, and specifications.
• Test planning, setup, instrumentation, execution, and data analysis.
• Communicate with project stakeholders internal and external to the team.
• Technical risk-based decision making to the right/best solution when faced with an engineering challenge.
• Project management including schedule building and maintenance, identifying top priority items, tasking of other engineers and technicians, and communication of status to leadership and other teams.
• Mentorship and coaching of people within the team on technical and professional development.
• Defining and maintaining standard of excellence for their team through documentation, training, coaching, and review of others’ work.
• Contributing to engineering process development and documentation at Rocket Lab related to areas of experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of 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.

Qualifications

• A genuine passion for engineering, curious mindset, and willingness to learn.
• Comfortable working with high levels of ambiguity.
• 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, qual reports and decisions for flight hardware.
• Experience developing requirement and verification sets, as well as 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.
• Demonstrated hands-on engineering skills, inside or outside the workplace.
• Hands-on integration and testing experience (ideally using NI equipment and software).
• Experience using Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter (preferred), Windchill, or similar.
• Experience using National Instruments data acquisition systems.
• Experience with testing and troubleshooting flight hardware.
• Master's or PhD in engineering.

What to Expect

At Rocket Lab, we are committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. We believe in hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and a relentless pursuit of what others often deem impossible. We strive to work together, support each other, and tackle challenges head-on. We offer a competitive compensation package, including a base salary range of $100,000 USD - $140,000 USD in California, as well as a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans. We also provide additional perks such as discounted stock options, subsidized EV charging, and a variety of wellness programs.

Important Information

For candidates seeking to work in US offices only: To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab requires U.S. citizens, lawful U.S. permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, or those eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. For more information, visit Rocket Lab's ITAR page.

For candidates seeking to work in New Zealand offices only: Background checks will be conducted prior to employment offers. This includes nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). For more information, visit Rocket Lab's ITAR page.