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Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Test Engineer II to lead propulsion testing operations at their Long Beach, CA facility. In this role, you will own the full lifecycle of engine and propulsion component testing—from planning and setup through execution, data analysis, and reporting. You'll be responsible for maintaining test facilities and equipment, ensuring compliance with aerospace standards, and driving test-driven improvements to engine reliability, manufacturability, and performance.
Key responsibilities include setting and maintaining best practices for testing methodologies, providing technical mentorship and guidance to team members, reviewing and signing off on test plans and reports, and supporting leadership with risk-based decision-making during development challenges. You'll apply systems engineering principles to integrate testing activities with broader engineering efforts and communicate regularly with internal and external stakeholders.
You bring 8+ years of rocket engine test engineering experience, including hands-on work with liquid rocket engine hot fire testing, instrumentation, test operations, and data acquisition. A bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or related engineering discipline is required. You have expertise in automation and data acquisition systems (National Instruments or Beckhoff PLC) and are comfortable traveling to test facilities for extended periods.
Ideal candidates have experience with hypergolic propellants, strong project management and systems engineering fundamentals, excellent documentation practices, and a track record of investigating and resolving anomalies. You're passionate about engineering, detail-oriented, and eager to establish new capabilities for Rocket Lab and advance U.S. space infrastructure.
