{"id":640158,"url":"https://alion.io/job/rocketlab-senior-propulsion-automation-test-systems-engineer","title":"Senior Propulsion Automation & Test Systems Engineer","company":{"id":684473,"name":"Rocket Lab","domain":"rocketlab.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/rocketlab-2","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":77,"open_postings":72,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.917,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":37,"computed_at":"2026-10-01T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"DevOps","role_family":"DevOps","seniority":"senior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Maramarua, New Zealand"],"countries":["NZ"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":75000,"max_usd":193000,"period":"year","method":"global_role_cell_scaled_by_country","sample_n":2013},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C#","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"SQL","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-05-21T03:49:38Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-07-20","last_verified_at":"2026-10-01T06:44:48Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":133,"trust":{"level":"stale","repost_count":0,"flags":["stale"],"days_open":133},"description":"ABOUT ROCKET LAB\nRocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.\nSENIOR PROPULSION ENGINEER - AUTOMATION AND TEST SYSTEMS\nAs a Senior Propulsion Engineer - Automation and Test Systems based at Rocket Lab’s site in the Propulsion Test Complex (PTC), you will have the opportunity to support the testing, validation, and continuous improvement of propulsion test stands that directly enable launch vehicle readiness and flight qualification. In this role you will work on troubleshooting live test systems and designing, commissioning, and upgrading automated control and data systems that ensure safe, reliable, and efficient propulsion testing. To be successful in this role, you must be highly self-directed, hands-on, and comfortable operating independently in a remote facility as the on-site subject matter expert for complex automated systems. Join a driven team that’s tackling challenging projects, delivering on exciting missions, and making an impact on the future of space.\nWHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:\nAct as the primary on-site expert for propulsion test stand automation and control systems at PTC\nProvide day-to-day troubleshooting and operational support for live propulsion test infrastructure\nDesign, commission, and implement upgrades to test systems and automation architecture\nDevelop and maintain test sequences, data acquisition, and control systems using National Instruments platforms\nIntegrate PLC, software, and hardware systems to improve reliability and test throughput\nWork closely with remote engineering teams and Ground Systems Engineering (GSE) to resolve complex issues\nIdentify bottlenecks in test operations and implement continuous improvement solutions\nSupport integration of test systems with enterprise tools, logging systems, and data pipelines\nYOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:\nBachelor’s degree in Engineering (Software, Electrical, Mechatronics, or equivalent hands-on discipline)\nStrong experience with National Instruments systems (LabVIEW, test sequencing, troubleshooting)\nExperience with industrial automation systems, including PLC-based control systems (e.g. Beckhoff or similar)\nProficiency in at least one programming language (Python, C, or C#) and familiarity with engineering toolchains\nHands-on experience with instrumentation, sensors, and electromechanical systems in industrial environments\nProven ability to independently troubleshoot and resolve complex systems issues in live operations\nTHESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:\nExperience in fluid systems or fluid-powered test environments\nBackground in manufacturing automation or production line commissioning\nExperience with SQL, data acquisition systems, or industrial data pipelines\nFamiliarity with TestStand, FlexLogger, or other National Instruments ecosystem tools\nExperience integrating operational systems with ERP/EIS platforms\nExposure to high-reliability or safety-critical test environments\nExperience working in remote or autonomous engineering site environments\nIf you’re excited by complex systems, hands-on engineering, and taking ownership of mission-critical test infrastructure that directly enables spaceflight, we’d love to hear from you.\nWHAT TO EXPECT \nWe’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. \nImportant information:\nFOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:\nTo 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.\nRocket 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.\nApplicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at . 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.\nFOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:\nFor 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. \nUnder 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.","description_format":"text","description_chars":6383,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":[],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-10T20:00:17Z"}],"liveness":{"score":9,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.314,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":133,"expected_fill_days":37,"reasons":["conf:11","stale_co","velocity","win:tail","crowd:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-01T05:45:00Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/rocketlab-senior-propulsion-automation-test-systems-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/rocketlab-senior-propulsion-automation-test-systems-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-01T12:33:04Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":3945,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":1055,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-10-02T00:00:00Z"}}}