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Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Development Engineer for its Propulsion team in Auckland. You will own the design, development, and deployment of critical propulsion subsystems that power the Electron rocket to orbit, including engines, turbopumps, valves, injectors, and fluid systems.
In this role, you will take hardware from first sketch through flight-ready status and beyond. You will define technical requirements, iterate designs in NX with analysis and manufacturing considerations, own the engineering bill of materials (EBOM), and release drawings for production. You will plan and execute test campaigns ranging from component rigs to hot-fire testing, coaching junior engineers through the process. Once systems are in flight, you will define operational procedures and maintenance protocols.
Key responsibilities include:
- Establishing and maintaining technical standards across the propulsion team
- Identifying and mitigating technical risks before they become problems
- Solving cross-functional problems that fall outside standard processes
- Contributing to department-level planning and process improvements
- Serving as technical decision-maker and tiebreaker on engineering trade-offs
- Leading meetings and communicating complex technical information to drive decisions
- Mentoring and deputizing for leadership when needed
- Balancing time between test data analysis, production floor feedback, and development lab work
This is a hands-on role combining rapid innovation with the highest safety and reliability standards. You will work in a fast-paced environment where hardware launches regularly and problem-solving is immediate and consequential.
QUALIFICATIONS (Required):
- 6+ years of industry experience and an engineering degree
- Deep understanding of manufacturing and production processes
- Proven experience taking products from development into rate production
- Demonstrated ability to technically steer a team across multiple engineering projects from concept through operation
- Depth in at least two of the following technical domains: structural analysis, vibration/modal analysis, CFD, thermal analysis, fatigue and creep analysis, FMEA, or root cause analysis
- Problem-solving skills transferable across domains; aerospace/rocket background not required but domain expertise in solving hard engineering problems is essential
QUALIFICATIONS (Nice to Have):
- Master's or PhD in engineering
- Background in rocket, aerospace, or automotive industries
- 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), candidates must be eligible to access US-regulated equipment and data. For New Zealand positions, you must hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, an EU member state, or a NATO member country, or be ineligible dual nationals. Background checks will be conducted prior to offer.
