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Rocket Lab is seeking a Development Engineer II to design, test, and refine the propulsion systems that power the Electron rocket to orbit. You will own the complete lifecycle of critical subsystems including engines, turbopumps, valves, injectors, and fluid systems—from initial requirements definition through flight-ready hardware and operational support.
In this hands-on role, you will:
- Own design and specification for propulsion components
- Manage engineering bills of materials (EBOM) and design workflows
- Collaborate with manufacturing and analysis engineers to optimize designs for producibility
- Plan and execute comprehensive test campaigns, from component rigs to hot-fire testing
- Define operational procedures and maintenance protocols for flight hardware
- Participate in cross-functional design reviews
- Work across the full product lifecycle from concept through in-service support
You'll split your time between detailed CAD work in NX, data analysis, production floor collaboration with technicians, and hands-on testing in development labs. This is not a desk-bound role—you'll be actively involved in building and proving hardware that launches.
Rocket Lab moves fast, builds real hardware for meaningful missions, and operates under the highest safety and quality standards. The team values rapid innovation, collaborative problem-solving, and a commitment to making the impossible routine.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering
- Minimum 2+ years of industry experience in a manufacturing environment
- Demonstrated high-volume production experience
- Ownership of at least one complete project from concept through design, build, test, and into operation (not just contribution, but full ownership)
- Strong problem-solving skills transferable across engineering domains; you don't need aerospace background, but you must have solved hard engineering problems well
NICE-TO-HAVE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master's or PhD in engineering
- Background in aerospace, automotive, or rocket propulsion
- Applied analysis experience (structural, modal, CFD, thermal, fatigue, DFMEA/PFMEA, DMAIC)
- Familiarity with NX, Teamcenter, JAMA, or Jira (or equivalent tools)
IMPORTANT: Due to ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations), you must be eligible to access US-regulated equipment and data. For New Zealand positions, background checks will be conducted. You may be ineligible if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO member country, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship.
