Entry-Level Manufacturing Engineer - Space Hardware

Rocket Lab; Auckland; On-site; NZD 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Auckland is seeking entry-level Manufacturing Engineers across multiple disciplines to turn early ideas into manufacturable designs, build and optimise the systems that make them real, and constantly push for faster, better, smarter ways to build rockets. You will own and ship, help teams hit production goals while maintaining quality, and improve existing products.

This role offers exposure to avionics, composites, machining, and assembly, with hands-on problem solving in a

Qualifications

• Recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or similar.
• Some level of technical experience in a Manufacturing, Production, or Process Engineering environment.
• Some hands-on experience solving problems in complex manufacturing systems.
• Ability to effectively deliver on complex assignments with autonomy.
• Foundational knowledge in complex manufacturing processes.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Can-do approach and flexibility to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Responsibilities

• Own & Ship: Become the expert on products you help build and launch.
• Help teams hit production goals while maintaining quality.
• Improve existing products and support new designs.
• Solve & Fix: Investigate why things fail and implement fixes.
• Make calls on whether parts meet flight standards using engineering analysis.
• Connect production, quality, and design teams to solve problems fast.
• Build & Improve: Write clear procedures so production runs smoothly every time.
• Design reliable hardware and test setups.
• Create test methods for critical systems.
• Use Lean/Six Sigma to make things better and faster.
• Lead & Scale: Review designs to make sure they're easy to build and test.
• Help launch new products to the factory floor.
• Identify equipment needs and build the business case.
• Set up better systems for planning, quality tracking, and data.
• Grow & Deliver: Mentor technicians and newer engineers.
• Break big projects into manageable pieces and ship them.
• Run your own projects with minimal oversight.
• Document wins and lessons learned for the team.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Problem solving

Autonomy

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or similar

Tools

Siemens Teamcenter

Infor LN

Job description

Rocket Lab in Auckland is seeking entry-level Manufacturing Engineers across multiple disciplines to turn early ideas into manufacturable designs, build and optimise the systems that make them real, and constantly push for faster, better, smarter ways to build rockets. You will own and ship, help teams hit production goals while maintaining quality, and improve existing products.

This role offers exposure to avionics, composites, machining, and assembly, with hands-on problem solving in a