Principal Electric Propulsion Engineer
Job description
About the role
<div class="content-intro"><p><strong>ABOUT ROCKET LAB</strong></p> <p>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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Our Electron rocket&nbsp;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.&nbsp;</p> <div style="padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;"><iframe style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1028198769?h=22add6027e&amp;badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" width="" height=""></iframe></div></div><p><strong>SPACE SYSTEMS&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>At Rocket Lab, we're not just launching rockets - we're building the future of space. The listing location is Long Beach, CA.
Key facts
What you'll do
- <div class="content-intro"><p><strong>ABOUT ROCKET LAB</strong></p> <p>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.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Our Electron rocket&nbsp;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.&nbsp;</p> <div style="padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;"><iframe style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1028198769?h=22add6027e&amp;badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" width="" height=""></iframe></div></div><p><strong>SPACE SYSTEMS&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>At Rocket Lab, we're not just launching rockets - we're building the future of space.
- Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.&nbsp;</p> <p>Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives.
- The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S.
- Whether it's a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space - our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>PRINCIPAL ELECTRIC PROPULSION ENGINEER</strong></p> <p>We're currently seeking a <strong>Principal Electric Propulsion Engineer</strong> for our propulsion engineering team based out of Long Beach, CA.
- As an Electric Propulsion Engineer, you are responsible for system-level and component-level ownership of space systems propulsion and fluidic development.
Requirements
- These teams support our Space Systems division, and lead cutting-edge programs for civil, commercial, and defense customers.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:&nbsp;</strong></p> <ul> <li>Own development of new or existing products or systems, acting as technical lead to guide team through end-to-end development process</li> <li>Conceptual and detailed performance calculations, systems modelling, analysis, and system designs&nbsp;</li> <li>Requirements gathering, definition, and management&nbsp;</li> <li>Systems engineering activities and leadership within the team</li> <li>Test planning, setup, instrumentation, execution, and data analysis&nbsp;</li> <li>Communicate with project stakeholders internal and external to the team</li> <li>Technical risk-based decision making to the right/best solution when faced with an engineering challenge &nbsp;</li> <li>Project management, including: schedule building and maintenance, identifying top priority items, tasking of other engineers and technicians, and communication of status to leadership and other teams &nbsp;</li> <li>Mentor and coach people within the team on technical and professional development</li> <li>Define and maintain standard of excellence for their team through documentation, training, coaching, and review of others' work &nbsp;</li> <li>Contribute to engineering process development and documentation at Rocket Lab related to areas of experience</li> </ul> <p><strong>YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:&nbsp;</strong></p> <ul> <li>12+ years of experience in propulsion system development, or equivalent high-performance field&nbsp;</li> <li>Bachelor's degree in engineeri
About Rocket Lab Corporation
Rocket Lab Corporation builds and flies Electron, an orbital rocket that places small satellites into precise sun-synchronous and polar orbits. Teams design, test, and operate launch vehicles and spacecraft at mission control, working through lift-off and flight phases.
The company also offers managed payload integration and ground services. People here run hands-on experiments, analyze telemetry, and iterate on hardware and software between launches.
About the location
The posting places this role in Long Beach, CA. Local hiring markets vary in interview pace and compensation bands. Location copy is here so readers understand the geography attached to the title.