Lead, Manufacturing Engineer

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets spacecraft and critical subsystems that keep the world connected protected expand humanitys 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.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab were not just launching rockets were 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.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1700 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. Space Force. Whether its 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.

LEAD MANUFACTURING ENGINEER

As a Lead Manufacturing Engineer based at Rocket Labs site in Silver Spring Maryland you will lead a team dedicated to transforming innovative spaceflight mechanism concepts specifically separation systems into manufacturable designs. You will play a critical role in designing building and optimizing the systems and processes that bring these ideas to life while continuously driving improvements for faster better smarter ways to this role you will focus on improving manufacturing processes through feasibility studies supporting product design for manufacturability and leading factory setup and optimization. This position involves troubleshooting production issues collaborating with cross-functional teams driving process improvements and supporting organizational efficiencies through change management and business system enhancements. To excel in this role you must be a detail-oriented leader self-motivated and capable of working both independently and collaboratively. Lead a passionate team thats tackling complex challenges delivering on exciting missions and making an impact on the future of space!

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Lead and manage a team of Manufacturing Engineers providing mentorship guidance and performance management to achieve team and organizational goals.
• Conduct feasibility studies and research and development projects to evaluate and implement advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Partner with Product Development teams to incorporate Design for Manufacturing principles into separation systems ensuring manufacturability at scale.
• Design procure install and validate production lines and factory systems for assembly testing and verification of spaceflight mechanisms. Take engineering ownership of production lines to remove blockers improve yield and increase build efficiency.
• Triage and diagnose production issues conduct root cause analyses implement corrective actions to mitigate risks and ensure long-term reliability.
• Drive continuous improvements across manufacturing and test.
• Contribute to change management assessing risk and impact of design process changes.
• Support business system and process improvements to enhance organizational effectiveness and operational efficiency.

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.S. in Engineering
• 5 years of relevant work experience in Manufacturing Production or Process Engineering
• Proven hands-on experience proactively identifying and solving complex multifaceted problems in manufacturing systems
• Demonstrated experience with designing implementing and supporting production lines
• Track record of successfully leading teams to achieve technical and operational goals
• Familiarity with typical aerospace mechanical fabrication techniques materials and surface finishes
• Demonstrated experience with DFMEA PFMEA methodologies Fault Tree Analysis Pareto analysis root cause and corrective action methodologies

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• 8 years of experience in production or manufacturing engineering
• 1 years managing or leading teams
• Experience with capital and facilities justification project management and implementation
• Experience transitioning products from design to production as a part of cross-functional team in a fast-paced iterative design environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to travel up to 10% of the year

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting standing walking computer work and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise dust and fumes in production areas.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats 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 others 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.

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 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.

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.