Rocket Lab

Senior Electric Propulsion Engineer II

Rocket Lab$132K — $220K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years experience in propulsion system development or equivalent field
  • Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or related engineering discipline
  • Expert in propulsion system modelling and analysis using software like Amesim, EcosimPro, and Simulink
  • Experience in end-to-end development from requirements gathering to testing
  • Strong understanding of Systems Engineering V and risk-based decision making
  • Experience with electric propulsion systems
  • U.S. citizenship is required due to program specifications, and ability to maintain security clearance

Responsibilities

  • Lead development of new or existing propulsion systems through end-to-end processes
  • Conduct performance calculations and system modelling
  • Gather and manage system requirements
  • Actively engage in systems engineering activities and provide team leadership
  • Plan and execute tests, including setup and data analysis
  • Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
  • Make technical decisions based on risk assessments and engineering challenges
  • Manage projects including scheduling, task delegation, and regular status updates

Benefits

  • Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% stock discount
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
  • Paid vacation and sick leave, plus 11 paid holidays
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Onsite fitness centers and gym discounts
  • Paid parental leave and disability insurance
  • Subsidized EV charging and complimentary snacks and beverages
Full Job Description
SENIOR ELECTRIC PROPULSION ENGINEER II

We're currently seeking a Senior Electric Propulsion Engineer for our propulsion engineering team based out of Long Beach, CA. As an Electric Propulsion Engineer, you are responsible for system-level and component-level ownership of space systems propulsion and fluidic development. These teams support our Space Systems division, and lead cutting-edge programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
  • 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 performance calculations, systems modelling, analysis, and system designs
  • Requirements gathering, definition, and management
  • Systems engineering activities and leadership within the team
  • 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
  • Mentor and coach people within the team on technical and professional development
  • Define and maintain standard of excellence for their team through documentation, training, coaching, and review of others' work
  • Contribute to engineering process development and documentation at Rocket Lab related to areas of experience

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
  • 8+ years of experience in propulsion system development, or equivalent high-performance field
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or other technical engineering discipline)
  • Expertise in propulsion system modelling, static and transient analysis, and model validation using test data using software such as Amesim, EcosimPro, Simulink, or Simscape
  • Experience with end-to-end development process including gathering requirements, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing
  • Strong grasp of all steps in the Systems Engineering V and risk-based decision making
  • Experience working on electric propulsion systems
  • U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
  • A genuine passion for engineering, curious mindset, and willingness to learn
  • Comfortable working with high levels of ambiguity
  • Makes decisions using basic engineering principles, available literature and standards, technical risk assessments, test data, and physics-based models
  • Practice in identifying the necessary steps to achieve high level technical goals, scheduling them in a plan, and managing delivery against that plan
  • Experience with Jama
  • Capabilities using Python for data manipulation and post-processing
  • Detailed mechanical design experience using NX (preferred) or equivalent industry standard CAD software
  • Experience with GD&T and engineering drawings
  • 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
  • Masters or PhD
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well within a team environment
  • Demonstrated hands on engineering skills, inside or outside the workplace

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.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant 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, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)

$132,000-$220,000 USD

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a private American aerospace manufacturer and small satellite launch service provider. The company was founded in 2006 by New Zealander Peter Beck. Rocket Lab's Electron rocket is designed to launch small payloads of up to 300 kg into low Earth orbit. The company has launched several successful missions and has contracts with NASA and other organizations. Rocket Lab has raised over $200 million in funding and has offices in the United States and New Zealand.
Learn more about Rocket Lab
Size
500 employees
Market Cap
$1.6 billion
Industry
Founded
2006
NASDAQ

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