Rocket Lab

Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II

Rocket Lab$100K — $150K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 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.

Responsibilities

  • Own development of new or existing products or systems as technical lead.
  • Conduct performance calculations, systems modelling, analysis, and design.
  • Gather, define, and manage system requirements.
  • Plan, set up, execute tests, and analyze data.
  • Communicate with internal and external project stakeholders.
  • Make technical risk-based decisions for engineering challenges.
  • Manage project schedules, tasks, and communications with teams.

Benefits

  • Competitive base salary and company stock in the total compensation package.
  • Industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount.
  • Top-tier medical plans, including zero cost HDHP with HSA contribution.
  • Paid vacation, sick time, and 11 paid holidays.
  • Flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, and disability and life insurance.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
  • Perks include subsidized EV charging, fitness centers, and discounted gym memberships.
Full Job Description
SPACECRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEMS ENGINEER II

We're currently seeking a Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II for our propulsion engineering team based out of Long Beach, CA. As a Propulsion Systems Engineer, you're responsible for system-level and component-level ownership of space systems propulsion and fluidic development. This team supports our Space Systems division, and leads 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.
  • 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.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
  • 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.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
  • A genuine passion for engineering, curious mindset, and willingness to learn.
  • Demonstrated hands-on engineering skills, inside or outside the workplace.
  • 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.
  • Expertise in propulsion system modelling, static and transient analysis, and model validation using test data using software such as Amesim, EcosimPro, Simulink, Simscape, or similar.
  • Experience working on propulsion systems utilizing different storable propellants, such as electrical and chemical.
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well within a team environment.
  • 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 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 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.
  • Master's or PhD in engineering.

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.

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base 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.

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.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$111,000-$168,000 USD

Base Salary

$100,000-$150,000 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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