Senior Production Planner

Rocket Lab Corporation; Warkworth; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in New Zealand seeks a Senior Production Planner to keep the production plan on track, manage work orders, and ensure timely build readiness across manufacturing lines for rockets and spacecraft.

You will drive continuous improvement with Engineering, Quality, Production, and Supply Chain, coordinating schedules, lead times, and build timelines in a fast-paced, aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, supply chain, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience as Material Planner or Production Planner.
• Experience in aerospace or fast-growing manufacturing industries.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Experience with ITAR/EAR and export controls.

Responsibilities

• Own MRP supply and fulfilment planning, releasing work orders to Production and kit requests to Inventory.
• Run clear-to-build reviews and remove blockers so Production can build without delay.
• Report on material position through line of balance, shortage, and clear-to-build reports.
• Prioritize and expedite subassemblies to keep timelines on track.
• Keep MRP part master data and configuration accurate.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, and Finance to manage schedules and lead times.
• Drive continuous improvement across production, test, and launch.

Skills

Production planning

Clear-to-build reviews

Data management

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

MS Office

Job description

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.

ABOUT PRODUCTION PLANNING

Every Rocket Lab mission starts long before liftoff. It starts with a plan.

As a Senior Production Planner, you'll keep that plan on track and help turn the hardware behind our launch vehicles and spacecraft into mission-ready reality. You'll own work order management and make sure our Production team always has the right work in the queue, at the right priority, and is clear to build with no blockers.

You'll be a true change agent, driving continuous improvement across production, test, and launch. Working closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, and Finance, you'll coordinate change management and steer the production schedule, lead times, yield, and engineering build timelines.

At Rocket Lab, we're making space more accessible, and great planning is what keeps us launching. If you thrive on solving complex problems at pace, this is your launchpad.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Own MRP supply and fulfilment planning, releasing work orders to Production and kit requests to Inventory
• Run clear-to-build reviews and remove blockers so Production can build without delay
• Report on material position through line of balance, shortage, and clear-to-build reports
• Prioritize and expedite subassemblies to keep integration timelines on track
• Keep MRP part master data and configuration accurate
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, and Finance to manage schedules and lead times
• Drive continuous improvement across production, test, and launch

WHAT YOU BRING:

• Full or near-full proficiency in production planning, backed by specialized training
• Proven experience running clear-to-build reviews and expediting materials through production
• Solid knowledge of master data management, batch processing, and issue ticket disposition
• Proficiency in MRP/ERP systems, MS Office, and math and statistics
• Strong organization, prioritization, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and a team-first approach in a fast-paced, multi-deadline environment

NICE TO HAVE

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, supply chain, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience as a Material Planner, Production Planner, or similar role
• Background in aerospace, EV automotive, or other fast-growing, disruptive manufacturing industries
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings
• Experience with AS9100 and US export controls (ITAR/EAR)

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.

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.

Rocket Lab is required to comply with US export compliance laws & regulations including the International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).These regulations restrict whom Rocket Lab can share materials with, and whom can receive those materials. This includes hardware, technical data, and defense services.Access to these materials is required for employment at Rocket Lab; being unable to meet these export compliance requirements means that you will be ineligible for employment at Rocket Lab.