Propulsion Components Engineer II

Propulsion Components Engineer II

We're currently seeking a Propulsion Components Engineer II for our propulsion engineering team based in Long Beach, CA. As a Propulsion Components Engineer, you will be 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.

• Own development of new or existing products or systems, acting as technical lead to guide the team through the 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, set‑up, instrumentation, execution, and data analysis.
• Communicate with project stakeholders internal and external to the team.
• Make technical, risk‑based decisions for the 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 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 an engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in propulsion system development or other high‑performance field.
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

• A genuine passion for engineering, curious mindset, and willingness to learn.
• Detailed mechanical design experience using NX (preferred) or equivalent industry standard CAD software and Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter (preferred), Windchill, or similar.
• Comfortable working with high levels of ambiguity.
• Ability to make decisions using basic engineering principles, available literature and standards, technical risk assessments, test data, and physics‑based models.
• 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.
• Practice in identifying the necessary steps to achieve high level technical goals, scheduling them in a plan, and managing delivery against that plan.
• 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 with GD&T and engineering drawings.
• Experience using Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter (preferred), Windchill, or similar.
• Experience with testing and troubleshooting flight hardware.
• Master's or Ph.D. 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.

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.

Base Pay Range (CA Only): $100,000 — $130,000 USD

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, and it takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people…