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Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II to join its propulsion engineering team in Long Beach, CA. This role offers system-level and component-level ownership of spacecraft propulsion and fluidic development, supporting civil, commercial, and defense space missions.
You will own the development of new or existing propulsion products and systems, acting as a technical lead guiding teams through end-to-end development. Key responsibilities include conceptual and detailed performance calculations, systems modeling and analysis, requirements definition and management, systems engineering leadership, test planning and execution, stakeholder communication, and technical risk-based decision making. You will also manage project schedules, task engineers and technicians, mentor team members on technical and professional development, and maintain engineering excellence through documentation and process improvement.
Required qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or related engineering discipline, plus 8+ years of propulsion system development or equivalent high-performance field experience. You must have an active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility and US citizenship. Technical expertise required: propulsion system modeling, static and transient analysis, model validation using tools like Amesim, EcosimPro, Simulink, or Simscape; end-to-end development experience from requirements through production and acceptance testing; Systems Engineering V methodology and risk-based decision making; and experience with storable propellants including electrical and chemical systems.
Desirable qualifications include hands-on engineering skills, comfort with ambiguity, experience with Jama requirements management, Python for data analysis, NX CAD or equivalent, GD&T and engineering drawings, PLM software (Teamcenter or Windchill), and National Instruments data acquisition systems. Rocket Lab's Space Systems team has enabled over 1,700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration to national security initiatives, partnering with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
