Principal Electric Propulsion Engineer

SPACE SYSTEMS

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.

PRINCIPAL ELECTRIC PROPULSION ENGINEER

We’re currently seeking a Principal Electric Propulsion Engineer for our propulsion engineering team based out of Long Beach, CA. As an Electric Propulsion 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.

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 
• Mentor and coach people within the team on technical and professional development
• Define and maintain standard of excellence for their 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

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• 12+ 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) 
• Expertise in propulsion system modelling, static and transient analysis, and model validation using test data using software such as Amesim, EcosimPro, Simulink, or Simscape 
• 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 working on electric propulsion systems 
• U.S. 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
• 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
• 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 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 
• Masters or PhD
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well within a team environment 
• Demonstrated hands on engineering skills, inside or outside the workplace 

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.