Propulsion Components Engineer II

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, climate‑change mitigation, national security, and new technology demonstrations. Space Systems Propulsion Team The Space Systems Propulsion team is responsible for developing and delivering qualified, flight‑ready space vehicle propulsion systems. The team takes cradle‑to‑grave ownership of systems and components from mission requirement through detailed design, qualification, integration, and on‑orbit operation. Past work includes the Curie, HyperCurie engines, and the ESCAPADE, Winnebago, and Victus Haze spacecraft propulsion systems. Currently the team is developing new products for both electric propulsion (Gauss) and chemical propulsion. 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 the team through the 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 of 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 development. 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. 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. What to Expect We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, and that requires hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others may 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 stay focused on delivery rather than dwelling on challenges. Eligibility & Legal Requirements 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 be 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. Equal Employment Opportunity 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr