Composites Engineer II/Senior

Rocket Lab; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Albuquerque, NM is seeking a Composites Engineer II or Senior Composites Engineer I to lead and optimize production of spacecraft composite structures. You will own spacecraft composite production lines, apply prepreg layup, machining, and bonding techniques, and drive continuous improvement in a high‑growth environment.

Responsibilities include leading manufacturing improvements, ensuring schedule adherence, and delivering high‑quality components for space missions; bachelor‑level

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Mechanical, Materials, Manufacturing, Industrial or Aerospace Engineering.
• 2+ years of hands‑on experience within a Composites manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of composite materials, manufacturing processes, testing techniques, and design techniques, including prepreg layup, machining, and structural assembly bonding.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience within a Composites manufacturing environment for Senior role.

Responsibilities

• Touch a satellite going to space and take ownership of spacecraft composite production lines.
• Lead non‑conformance and root‑cause analysis investigations.
• Create technical documentation and advise on design improvements for components, subsystems, procedures, equipment and tooling.
• Work within a rapidly growing Space Systems team with motivated professionals in a supportive environment.

Skills

Composites manufacturing

Composite materials

Manufacturing processes

Testing techniques

Prepreg layup

Machining

Structural bonding

DFMEA

PFMEA

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Materials, Manufacturing, Industrial or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Siemens Teamcenter

Infor LN

Job description

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation, and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations. Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, while we develop Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds an extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

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, 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. The team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in‑space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

Composites Engineer II / Senior – Albuquerque, NM

Composites Engineers facilitate and optimize production of solar products and sub‑systems for a high‑growth, high‑consequence production environment, ensuring best‑practice manufacturing principles are employed to meet stringent deadlines. This position can be hired at the Composites Engineer II or Senior Composites Engineer I level.

What You’ll Get to Do

• Work on ground‑breaking products and processes.
• Introduce innovative manufacturing equipment and processes to the Production floor.
• Touch a satellite going to space!
• Take ownership of Spacecraft composite production lines and support build of Spacecraft composite structures in a hands‑on capacity.
• Practice continuous improvement and lean manufacturing techniques.
• Manage project timelines, understand technical and program risks.
• Lead non‑conformance and root‑cause analysis investigations.
• Create technical documentation and advise on design improvements for components, subsystems, procedures, equipment and tooling.
• Work within a rapidly growing Space Systems team and with highly motivated, enthusiastic professionals in a fun and supportive environment.
• Opportunity for growth in a regulated manufacturing industry.

Qualifications

For Composites Engineer II

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Mechanical, Materials, Manufacturing, Industrial or Aerospace Engineering.
• 2+ years of hands‑on experience within a Composites manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of composite materials, manufacturing processes, testing techniques, and design techniques, including prepreg layup, machining, and structural assembly bonding.

For Senior Composites Engineer I

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Mechanical, Materials, Manufacturing, Industrial or Aerospace Engineering.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience within a Composites manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of composite materials, manufacturing processes, testing techniques, and design techniques, including prepreg layup, machining, and structural assembly bonding.

Nice to Have

• Can‑do approach and flexibility to thrive around growing teams and processes.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proven risk assessment and risk‑based decision‑making skills.
• Working experience with destructive and non‑destructive testing of composite materials and subassemblies.
• Proven ability to deliver KPIs with little to no supervision on schedule, as an individual or as a member of an integrated team.
• Working experience with environmental acceptance/production acceptance testing, such as vibration, shock, thermal and vacuum.
• Knowledge of composite related material properties including resin systems, structural bonding adhesives, and sandwich structures.
• Experience with composite structure repair techniques and processes.
• Experience in manufacturing and assembly of composite structures into larger assemblies.
• Knowledge of production quality metrics.
• Experience with ERP/PLM Systems – Siemens Team Center/Infor LN.
• Experience in configuration control and configuration management in production systems.
• Demonstrated experience with DFMEA, PFMEA methodologies, Fault Tree Analysis, Pareto analysis, root cause and corrective actions.
• Proven ability to deliver new product implementation activities on time and to budget.
• Familiar with engineering change processes and implementation in production environments.
• Understanding of process qualification theory.

Expectations

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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].

ITAR Eligibility

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.

Location Requirement

Only candidates willing to work in U.S. offices are eligible for this position.