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Rocket Lab is seeking a Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II to join the 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.
Key responsibilities include owning development of new or existing propulsion products and systems while acting as a technical lead to guide the team through end-to-end development. You will perform conceptual and detailed performance calculations, systems modeling, analysis, and design work. Requirements gathering, definition, and management are core to the role, along with systems engineering activities and team leadership.
You will lead test planning, setup, instrumentation, execution, and data analysis. Communication with internal and external stakeholders is essential, as is technical risk-based decision-making when facing engineering challenges. Project management duties include schedule building and maintenance, prioritization, tasking of engineers and technicians, and status communication to leadership.
The role includes mentorship and coaching of team members on technical and professional development, defining and maintaining standards of excellence through documentation, training, and review of others' work. You will contribute to engineering process development and documentation related to your areas of expertise.
Required qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, 2+ years of experience in propulsion system development or other high-performance field, US citizenship (due to program requirements), and the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
Desirable qualifications include expertise in propulsion system modeling and analysis using tools like Amesim, EcosimPro, Simulink, or Simscape; experience with storable propellants (electrical and chemical); strong systems engineering knowledge including the V-model and risk-based decision-making; experience with Jama; Python capabilities for data manipulation; and CAD experience with NX or equivalent software.
