Propulsion Components Engineer

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.  

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. 

SPACE SYSTEMS

The Space Systems Propulsion team is responsible for developing and delivering qualified, flight-ready space vehicle propulsion systems. The team takes on cradle-to-grave ownership of systems and components. From mission requirement through detailed design, qualification, integration, and on orbit operation. Examples of past work include the Curie and HyperCurie engines, and the ESCAPADE, Winnebago, and Victus Haze spacecraft propulsion systems. Currently the team is working on developing new products for both Electric Propulsion (Gauss) and chemical propulsion.  

The team consists of development engineers and development technicians with a range of experience and skillsets, spanning systems engineering, design, build, test, and operations. The common thread across all members of the team is end-to-end ownership and the ability to work hands-on with development, qualification, and flight hardware. Team members interface regularly with stakeholders across the company, including GNC, Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Flight Software, Thermal, Structures, and others. 

SENIOR PROPULSION COMPONENTS DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER

The Senior Development Engineer position at Rocket Lab's Space Systems Propulsion team focuses on leading the end-to-end development of fluid system components for spacecraft propulsion systems, from initial concept through flight operation. The role combines technical leadership responsibilities—including CAD design, testing, and mentoring—with project management duties such as stakeholder communication and schedule management.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Owning development of new or existing products or systems, acting as technical lead to guide team through end-to-end development process.
• Conceptual and detailed designs in CAD for propulsion system components as well as calculations, analysis, and system designs.
• Prototyping and development testing your designs as well as supporting procurement and production of hardware for development and production. Your work will be on flight hardware and the tooling and test rigs required to develop and qualify them.
• Review and approval of others’ drawings, 3D PMI, reports, and specifications.
• General systems engineering tasks including requirements gathering and definition as well as communicating with internal and external project stakeholders
• Project management including schedule building and maintenance, identifying risk and priority, and providing tasking to others on the project
• Mentorship and coaching of people within the team on technical and professional

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• A genuine passion for engineering, curious mindset, and willingness to learn.
• An engineering degree and 4+ years of experience in propulsion development, or equivalent high-performance field.
• Background working with fluid system components such as valves and regulators.
• Experience with end-to-end development process including gathering requirements, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing.
• Detailed mechanical design experience using NX (preferred) or equivalent industry standard CAD software and PLM such as Teamcenter.
• Hands on engineering skills, inside or outside the workplace.
• Desire to take accountability for design reviews and approving release of production parts.
• Comfortable working with high levels of ambiguity; making decisions using basic engineering principles, available information, and risk. 

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: 

• Project leadership experience; identifying the necessary steps to achieve high level technical goals, scheduling them in a plan, and managing delivery against that plan.
• Test engineering experience such as writing test plans, instrumentation, performing testing, test data analysis, and writing test reports.
• Capabilities using Python for data manipulation and post-processing.

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

WHAT TO EXPECT 

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.   

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant.  These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations. 

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.  For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.