Propulsion Systems Engineer I​/II

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more with the goal of opening access to space. Our rockets and satellites support scientific exploration, Earth observation, climate‑change missions, national security, and new technology demonstrations.

We are currently seeking a Propulsion Systems Engineer I/II for our propulsion engineering team based out of Long Beach, CA. As a Propulsion Systems Engineer, you are responsible for system‑level and component‑level ownership of space system propulsion and fluidic development for our Space Systems division, leading cutting‑edge programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers.

At Rocket Lab we’re not just launching rockets—we’re building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and the subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, such as solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separators, radios, and more. The team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration to national‑security initiatives, and partners with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

As a Propulsion Systems Engineer, you will own the development of new or existing propulsion products or systems, act as a technical lead, and guide the team through end‑to‑end development, from conceptual design to testing and integration.

• Own development of new or existing products or systems, acting as technical lead to guide team through end‑to‑end development process.
• Conduct conceptual and detailed performance calculations, system modeling, analysis, and system designs.
• Gather, define, and manage requirements; perform systems engineering activities and leadership within the team.
• Plan, set up, instrument, execute, and analyze tests.
• Communicate with project stakeholders internal and external to the team.
• Make technical risk‑based decisions to select the best solution when faced with an engineering challenge.
• Manage projects, including schedule building, maintaining, identifying top priority items, tasking other engineers and technicians, and communicating status to leadership and other teams.
• Mentor and coach people within the team on technical and professional development.
• Define and maintain a standard of excellence for the 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.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or other technical engineering discipline).
• Demonstrated hands‑on engineering skills, inside or outside the workplace.
• US citizenship and willingness to obtain a security clearance required, due to program requirements.

• 2+ 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).
• Demonstrated hands‑on engineering skills, inside or outside the workplace.
• US citizenship and willingness to obtain a security clearance required, due to program requirements.

• A genuine passion for engineering, curious mindset, and willingness to learn.
• Comfortable working with high levels of ambiguity; make decisions using basic engineering principles, literature, standards, risk assessments, test data, and physics‑based models.
• Expertise in propulsion system modeling, static and transient analysis, and model validation using test data with software such as Amesim, Ecosim Pro, 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…