Rocket Lab USA
Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II - Secret Clearance
East Long Beach, Los Angeles County · Senior · full-time
No sponsorship$165k-$277kDetected 49 days ago
TypeScriptPythonData AnalysisProduct ManagementProject ManagementGD&TSystems EngineeringMechanical DesignSimulinkLeadershipCommunicationMentoring
Stay score
odds of building a lasting career here
56Sponsors, lottery-bound
Cap-exempt (no lottery)0
Sponsors this role72
Entry-level history0
PERM / green-card track0
Lottery odds (Level IV)94
Fits your clock70
Sponsors, but it's cap-subject — you still face the weighted lottery (~61% per draw at Level IV). Good if you win; have a cap-exempt backup on your list.
Lottery odds assume a STEM candidate.
Personalize to your clock →Community outcomes
No reports yet — be the first to help the next applicant.
About the role
- Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives.
- 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.
- We're seeking a Senior Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer II for our propulsion engineering team based out of Long Beach, CA.
Responsibilities
- 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 performance calculations, systems modelling, analysis, and system designs
- 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
- 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.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, or other technical discipline)
- 8+ years of experience in propulsion system development, or other high-performance field
- US citizenship is required, due to program requirements
- Expertise in propulsion system modelling, static and transient analysis, and model validation using test data software such as Amesim, EcosimPro, Simulink, or Simscape
- Experience with end-to-end development process, including gathering requirements, detailed design, qualification, production, and acceptance testing
- Experience with all steps in the Systems Engineering V and risk-based decision making
- Experience working on propulsion systems utilizing different storable propellants, such as electrical and chemical
Nice to have
- A genuine passion for engineering, curious mindset, and willingness to learn
- Demonstrated hands-on engineering skills, inside or outside the workplace
- Comfortable working with high levels of ambiguity
- Ability to make decisions using basic engineering principles, available literature and standards, technical risk assessments, test data, and physics-based models
- Practice in identifying the necessary steps to achieve high level technical goals, scheduling them in a plan, and managing delivery against that plan
- Experience with Jama
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well within a team environment
- Capabilities using Python for data manipulation and post-processing
Compensation
- $132,000 - $220,000 USD
- 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.
Benefits
- This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview.
Equal opportunity
- 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.
Visa & Work Authorization
- US citizenship is required, due to program requirements
Apply directly at Rocket Lab USA →Create a free account for alerts like thisView Rocket Lab USA immigration profile
This listing is sourced directly from Rocket Lab USA's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.