Lead, Manufacturing Engineer

Rocket Lab; Toronto; On-site; CAD 114,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant and stock purchase plan

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

RRSP retirement plan

Paid vacation, holidays and sick leave

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Lead, Manufacturing Engineer based at Sinclair Interplanetary in Toronto, Ontario. You will head the manufacturing team to enhance efficiency and yield for ADCS components used in satellites, driving continuous improvement and design-for-manufacture practices in a high-reliability aerospace setting.

You will guide procedures, BOMs, and work instructions, marshal quality tools, and mentor technicians while aligning local processes with global standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace or relevant engineering discipline required.
• Minimum 5+ years in a manufacturing environment with team leadership.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers and coordinating with cross-functional teams.
• Proficient with quality tools: Lean, Six Sigma, RCA, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC.
• Knowledge of mechanical processing/assembly, electronics manufacturing, and testing.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing team to improve efficiency and yield for ADCS components.
• Document procedures, BOMs, and work instructions for technicians.
• Improve volume and efficiency through process refinement.
• Source equipment and methods; implement approved solutions.
• Provide DFM reviews to new designs and perform root cause analyses.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace or relevant engineering

Master’s degree in engineering

Tools

Lean principles

Six Sigma

Root Cause Analysis

PFMEA

Control Plans

Statistical Process Control (SPC)

Metrology

Machining

3D printing

Coating

Soldering

Dipping

Inspection

Rework

Environmental testing

Job description

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 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.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets - we’re building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft and precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration and 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 it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or vertically integrated components that help missions get to space, our world-class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions

LEAD, MANUFACTURING ENGINEER

Based out of Rocket Lab's site Sinclair Interplanetary in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, this role reports to the engineering manager and is responsible for leading the manufacturing team to improve efficiency and yield in the production of ADCS components for satellites. The successful candidate will have prior experience in a high-reliability manufacturing environment with a focus on continuous improvement, design for manufacture, and six-sigma methodology in aerospace or a similar industry.

What You’ll Get To Do

• Learn and document established and new manufacturing procedures
• Create and maintain bill of materials
• Create and maintain work instructions for mechanical and electrical technicians
• Continuously improve manufacturing volume and efficiency through refinement of processes, procedures, facilities, and space
• Research, source, and document proposals for equipment, workstations, and manufacturing methods. Implements solution when approved.
• Provide DFM review to new product designs
• Analyze and resolve manufacturing discrepancies and non-conformances. Where necessary, lead root cause analyses and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct studies to estimate schedule and cost for various production efforts.
• Train production personnel on new and existing processes, procedures, and equipment.
• Progress alignment of local business processes with those of the global business

You’ll Bring These Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace or any relevant engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing environment
• Experience managing a team and mentoring junior team members
• Direct experience with some or all of the following quality tools: Lean principles, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action, Metrology, Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Control Plans, and Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Knowledge of mechanical processing and assembly (machining, 3D printing, coating)
• Knowledge of electronics manufacturing (soldering, dipping, inspection, rework)
• Familiarity with environmental testing (electromagnetic, thermal, vibration, vacuum, shock)

These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have

• Master’s degree in engineering, or equivalent
• Experience designing or manufacturing hardware for space-based systems
• Exposure to, or experience with, Infor LN, PowerBI and SQL interfaces
• Python and/or SQL programming skills
• Experience with time studies, lay-out improvement
• Familiarity with best practices for working in cleanroom/cleanbench environments
• Familiarity with best practices for working with ESD-sensitive hardware
• Highly organized and able to solve problems independently with strong attention to detail
• Able to collaborate effectively with team members having diverse skills sets and expertise
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills

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.

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance. Join one of the world’s fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you’ll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company. Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; RRSP retirement plan options; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks. The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the Ontario Pay Transparency Act. Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total Compensation (base and equity): $162,000 CAD - $176,000 CAD

Base Salary: $114,000 CAD - $143,000 CAD

What To Expect

We’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.

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 [e-mail]. 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.