Lead Engineer, Tooling Design and Support

Rocket Lab USA; Middle River (MD); On-site; USD 115,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top-tier medical HMO & PPO

100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan

3 weeks paid vacation

5 days sick leave

11 paid holidays

401(k) retirement plan with company match

Discounted employee stock purchase program

Free snacks/drinks onsite

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA is looking for a Lead Engineer for the Tooling, Test, and Infrastructure team located in Middle River, MD. This position involves managing and coordinating engineering teams to enhance tooling for the Neutron Launch Vehicle.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, at least 5 years of engineering design experience, and a strong record in leadership roles. A robust benefits package and competitive pay range of $115,000 — $160,000 USD are offered.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of engineering design experience.
• Experience in a leadership position.
• Demonstrated experience with large tooling and structures design.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of engineers responsible for tooling, GSE, and test for Neutron.
• Coordinate with structures team and other major stakeholders.
• Develop and mentor less experienced engineers and technicians.

Skills

Engineering design experience

Leadership

Mechanical tools knowledge

Ground Support Equipment design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering

Tools

Siemens NX/Teamcenter

Job description

Lead Engineer, Tooling Design and Support

We are currently seeking a Lead Engineer for our Tooling, Test, and Infrastructure team based out of Rocket Lab's newest Space Structures Complex production facility in Middle River, MD. The Lead Engineer will be responsible for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of tooling, GSE, and test for the Neutron Launch Vehicle.

What You’ll Get to Do

• Manage a team of engineers responsible for tooling, GSE, and test for Neutron.
• Coordinate a team focused on:
• Production tooling: how we massively scale the production of Neutron and create mechanical tools which allow us to increase assembly accuracy, reduce set‑up times, minimize crane use, etc.
• Ground Support Equipment: design of equipment that interfaces with the vehicle for test, transport, and integration.
• Test: engineering coordination of qual tests and structural tests.
• Coordinate with structures team, other Lead Engineers, facilities, operations, and other major stakeholders to:
• Manage facility‑wide constraints.
• Develop appropriate training plans to ensure technicians are qualified to perform the expected tasks.
• Major capital projects to introduce new production techniques as we scale production.
• Contribute to design reviews acting as an expert in design for manufacture, design for test, productivity, supplier capability assessments, quality control, etc.
• In addition, the Lead Engineer will perform the following tasks in a leadership capacity:
• Develop and mentor less experienced engineers and technicians.
• Ensure robust planning, including project schedules.
• Performance management for engineers on the team.
• Recruiting where needed for additional engineers.

You’ll Bring These Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, or other technical degree.
• 5+ years of engineering design experience.
• Experience in a leadership position.

These Qualifications Would Be Nice to Have

• Demonstrated experience with large tooling and structures design.
• Working knowledge of Siemens NX/Teamcenter.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as metallic machining, welding, and fabrication.
• Experience with structural analysis including hand calculations and FEA.
• Ability to read and interpret P&ID’s and wiring diagrams.
• Demonstrated leadership competencies, especially change management, conflict resolution, knowing when to escalate / request help, effectively manage a team.

Additional Requirements

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings.
• Ability or willingness to learn to use and operate powered machinery including fork trucks, scissor lifts, telehandlers, etc.
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise.

Base Pay Range (MD Only)

$115,000 — $160,000 USD

Benefits

Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including top‑tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company‑sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include: discounted employee stock purchase program, and free snacks/drinks onsite.

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.

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.

Important Information (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.