Space Systems | Senior Development Engineer - Space Systems Propulsion
Rocket Lab
About The Role
Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is a vertically integrated provider of small launch services, satellites, and spacecraft components. Our mission is to open access to space to improve life on Earth. Our team is over 1,500 people strong and we’re adding to it every week. Collaboration is at our core – every idea is heard, and everyone makes a difference. Teams are nimble, decisions are made quickly, and we are action oriented.
While other companies talk about it, we do it!
Rocket Lab is a vertically integrated provider of small launch services, satellites, and spacecraft components. Our mission is to open access to space to improve life on Earth. Our team is over 1,500 people strong and we’re adding to it every week. Collaboration is at our core – every idea is heard, and everyone makes a difference. Teams are nimble, decisions are made quickly, and we are action oriented.
About the role
The In-Space Propulsion team is one of three teams responsible for developing and delivering qualified, flight-ready space vehicle propulsion systems. The other two teams are responsible for spacecraft fluids systems and propulsion system testing, though there is significant overlap and strong collaboration between the three.
The ISP team takes on system-level and component-level ownership, mostly developed in-house from mission requirement through to integration and beyond, including pre-launch, launch, and on orbit operations support. Examples of past work include the Curie and HyperCurie engines, and currently the team is working on the whole propulsion system for ESCAPADE, a NASA science mission to Mars.
The team consists of development engineers with a range of experience level and skill sets. Generally, each engineer is expected to be capable of owning a component or system through its development lifecycle and production implementation. This means that the skillset of the team spans systems engineering, design, build, and test, though individuals may have their specializations.
The team works hands-on, often alongside technicians, with development, qualification, and flight hardware. Team members interface regularly with stakeholders across the company, including GNC, Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Flight Software, Analysis, and others.
A Senior Development Engineer at Rocket Lab is responsible for
- 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.
- Communicating with project stakeholders internal and external to the team
- Defining and maintaining standard of excellence for their team through documentation, training, coaching, and review of others’ work.
- Technical risk-based decision making to the right/best solution when faced with an engineering challenge.
- 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.
- Mentorship and coaching of people within the team on technical and professional development.
- Contributing to engineering process development and documentation at Rocket Lab related to areas of experience.
- 5+ years of experience in rocket or spacecraft propulsion development, or equivalent high-performance field.
- Aerospace, mechanical, or mechatronic engineering degree or equivalent qualification.
- Strong understanding of aerospace development process from requirements to detailed design, through build, qualification, and acceptance testing.
- Experience developing requirement and verification sets, as well as writing test plans, performing testing, and writing test reports.
- The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well within a team environment.
- Sound analytical skills and the capability to think at a systems level i.e. seeing the big picture and making connections.
- Heavy emphasis on achievement and details – getting things done efficiently, effectively and to the highest quality standards.
- The ability to take a flexible approach and to adapt to change quickly.
- An ability to effectively convey your understanding to other engineers.
- Have tenacity, a can-do attitude and the ability to think quickly and make accurate judgements.
Desired Skills
- Experience with CAD software such as NX (preferred), Solidworks, CATIA.
- Experience using Product Lifecycle Management software such as Teamcenter (preferred), Windchill, or similar.
- Experience using National Instruments data acquisition systems.
- Good hands-on engineering skills.
- Masters or PhD.
Rocket Lab Employee Benefits
- The opportunity to work on innovative and ground breaking technology
- An employee stock purchase program
- Access to world leading experts to develop your career
- Unlimited barista coffee, fruit, and snacks
- Rocket Lab merchandise – T-shirts, mission patches etc.
- Discounted health insurance with Southern Cross
- Additional parental leave entitlements
- A vibrant team culture with social activities throughout the year
If the above sounds like you apply now!
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 Biow 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.