Build Engineer II / Senior Build Engineer I

Rocket Lab USA; Mississippi; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA in Mississippi is seeking a Build Engineer II or Senior Build Engineer I to own the Archimedes engine build activities at the NASA Stennis test facility. You will work hands-on with hardware, drive continuous improvements, and enable high test cadence across development, qualification and acceptance testing.

You will design shop-floor layouts, develop procedures, create build work orders, and support technicians while coordinating with manufacturing and supply chain to ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, or other technical degree.
• 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing, integration or assembly environment.
• Experience with propulsion systems, complex mechanical assemblies, or shop floor operations.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex, hands-on technical problems in real time.

Responsibilities

• Own the build process for the Archimedes engine and related propulsion hardware at the test site.
• Design and implement improvements to shop floor layout and flow to optimize efficiency, safety, and quality of engine builds.
• Develop, document, and improve procedures for assembly, integration and check-out operations.
• Create and maintain engine build work orders to ensure accurate and traceable assembly operations.
• Support technicians performing engine build work, resolving blockers, clarifying build requirements, and providing hands-on guidance as needed.
• Coordinate with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure timely availability of engine parts and materials required for engine builds and rebuilds.
• Work closely with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to implement design changes and drive hardware improvements.
• Maintain consistency with production operations at Neutron production sites by aligning build processes and standards wherever possible.
• Lead and participate in problem containment and structured root cause & corrective action investigations.

Skills

Hands-on problem solving

Propulsion systems

Complex mechanical assemblies

Shop floor operations

2+ years experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, or other technical degree

Tools

Siemens NX

CAD/PLM

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.

NEUTRON

Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle designed to deliver the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, with the potential for human spaceflight too. As a reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab's proven execution history with the Electron program. If you're interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of reusable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!

BUILD ENGINEER

As a Build Engineer at our NASA Stennis rocket engine test facility in Mississippi, you will be the technical owner for the build activities of the Archimedes engine at the site. You will work hands-on with hardware, rapidly solving problems as they arise and driving continuous improvement in our build processes to enable a high test cadence across ongoing development, qualification and acceptance testing of Archimedes engines. This is a fast-paced, high-ownership role at the heart of our propulsion development efforts.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Own the build process for the Archimedes engine and related propulsion hardware at the test site.
• Design and implement improvements to shop floor layout and flow to optimize efficiency, safety, and quality of engine builds, including designing and purchasing of specialty tooling and equipment where needed.
• Develop, document, and improve procedures for assembly, integration and check-out operations.
• Create and maintain engine build work orders to ensure accurate and traceable assembly operations.
• Support technicians performing engine build work, resolving blockers, clarifying build requirements, and providing hands-on guidance as needed.
• Coordinate with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure timely availability of engine parts and materials required for engine builds and rebuilds to support high cadence engine testing.
• Work closely with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to implement design changes, resolve non-conformances, and drive hardware improvements.
• Maintain consistency with production operations at Neutron production sites by aligning build processes and standards wherever possible.
• Lead and participate in problem containment and structured root cause & corrective action investigations.

(This position can be hired as a Build Engineer II or Senior Build Engineer I Level)

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A BUILD ENGINEER II:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, or other technical degree.
• 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing, integration or assembly environment.
• Experience with propulsion systems, complex mechanical assemblies, or shop floor operations.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex, hands-on technical problems in real time.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR BUILD ENGINEER I:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, or other technical degree.
• 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing, integration or assembly environment.Experience with propulsion systems, complex mechanical assemblies, or shop floor operations.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex, hands-on technical problems in real time.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Detailed knowledge of Siemens NX or similar CAD and PLM packages.
• Proficient in reading and interpreting engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Detailed knowledge of quality standards for typical assembly and production products.
• Proficient with all types of hand tools and basic integration, inspection and check-out equipment.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design, fluid systems, and instrumentation.

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

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] 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.