Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Components Engineer II

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we' re building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

We are currently seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Components Engineer II for our propulsion engineering team based out of Long Beach, CA. As a Propulsion Components 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.

• Owning development of new or existing products or systems, acting as technical lead to guide team through 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, setup, instrumentation, execution, and data analysis.
• Communicating 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.

• 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)
• 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
• Track record of design reviews and approving release of flight parts, qual reports and decisions for flight hardware
• Experience with end-to-end development process including gathering requirements, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well within a team environment
• Hands-on integration and testing experience (ideally using NI equipment and software)
• Experience working on propulsion systems utilizing different storable propellants, such as electrical and chemical
• 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. Makes decisions using…