Senior Propulsion Systems Engineer I​/II - Secret Clearance

Senior Propulsion Systems Engineer I/II - Secret Clearance

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

• Ownership of new or existing products or systems, acting as technical lead to guide the team through end‑to‑end development.
• 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.
• Communication with project stakeholders internal and external to the team.
• Technical risk‑based decision‑making to identify the best solution for engineering challenges.
• Project management including schedule building, priority identification, tasking of engineers and technicians, and status communication to leadership.
• Mentorship and coaching on technical and professional development.
• Define and maintain standards of excellence through documentation, training, coaching, and review.
• Contribute to engineering process development and documentation at Rocket Lab.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or related technical discipline).
• 5+ years of experience in propulsion system development or other high‑performance field.
• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility.
• US citizenship required.
• Expertise in propulsion system modelling, static and transient analysis, and model validation using test data software such as Amesim, Ecosim Pro, Simulink, or Simscape.
• Experience with the end‑to‑end development process, including requirements, design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing.
• Experience with all steps in the Systems Engineering V and risk‑based decision‑making.
• Experience working on propulsion systems utilizing different storable propellants, such as electrical and chemical.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or related technical discipline).
• 8+ years of experience in propulsion system development or other high‑performance field.
• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility.
• US citizenship required.
• Expertise in propulsion system modelling, static and transient analysis, and model validation using test‑data software such as Amesim, Ecosim Pro, Simulink, or Simscape.
• Experience with the end‑to‑end development process, including requirements, design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing.
• Experience with all steps in the Systems Engineering V and risk‑based decision‑making.
• Experience working on propulsion systems utilizing different storable propellants, such as electrical and chemical.

• 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.
• Ability to make decisions using basic engineering principles, literature, standards, risk assessments, test data, and physics‑based models.
• Practice in identifying necessary steps to achieve high‑level technical goals, scheduling them, and managing delivery.
• Experience with Jama.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work well within a team environment.
• Python skills for data manipulation and post‑processing.
• Detailed mechanical design experience using NX (preferred) or equivalent 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.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis…