Lead, Manufacturing Engineer - Space Systems

Rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company equity

Medical insurance

Dental & vision

Paid vacation

Sick leave

401(k) match

Onsite gym

EV charging discounts

Job summary

Rocket Lab in California is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Engineer for Space Systems. You will drive manufacturability, lead factory setup, and push for faster, higher quality production across complex systems.

You will partner with Design Engineering, own production lines, perform root-cause investigations, mentor teams, and deliver scalable manufacturing solutions that support growth and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Computer Engineering.
• 5+ years of technical experience in manufacturing, production, or process engineering.
• Hands-on experience solving complex problems in manufacturing systems.
• Ability to manage multiple complex assignments autonomously.
• Ability to coach and mentor teams.
• Strong knowledge of complex manufacturing processes.
• Experience leading teams and managing projects.

Responsibilities

• Prepare feasibility studies and R&D in manufacturing tech.
• Partner with Design Engineering to ensure manufacturability at scale.
• Engineer factories: design, procure, install, validate, test processes.
• Support development builds to accelerate ramp-up.
• Own production lines and improve yield and efficiency.
• Diagnose failures and perform root-cause investigations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve issues.
• Drive process improvements in manufacturing and test.
• Support change management and risk assessment.
• Contribute to business systems improvements for efficiency.

Skills

Manufacturing Engineering

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Process optimization

Education

BSc in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Computer Engineering

Tools

Design for Manufacture

Root cause analysis

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 rockethas become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing Engineering powers Rocket Lab’s factories from concept to full-scale production. We turn early ideas into manufacturable designs, build and optimize the systems that make them real, and constantly push for faster, better, smarter ways to build. We engineer the factories that build the rockets, boosting quality, cutting cost, and accelerating build rate.

LEAD MANUFACTURING ENGINEER - SPACE SYSTEMS

This role focuses on improving manufacturing processes through feasibility studies, supporting product design for manufacturability, and leading factory setup and optimization. It involves troubleshooting production issues, collaborating with cross-functional teams, driving process improvements, and supporting organizational efficiency through change management and business system enhancements, while also taking on leadership responsibilities to guide teams and initiatives.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Prepare feasibility studies and conduct manufacturing technology Research & Development projects
• Partner with our Design Engineering teams to incorporate Design for Manufacture into our products to ensure robustness and manufacturability at scale
• Engineer and deliver our factories – design,procure, install,validateassembly,testand verification processes
• Support Development builds to uncover early learnings and resolve issues to accelerate the production ramp up
• Take engineering ownership of production lines to remove blockers, improveyieldand increase build efficiency
• Triage and diagnose failures, conduct deep technicalinvestigationsanddeterminethe right path forward including risk mitigation actions and root cause resolution
• Collaborate with cross functional teams to resolve complex issues
• Drive process improvements across manufacturing,testand integration
• Contribute to change management, assessing risk and impact of design or process changes
• Support business system and process improvements to drive increased organizational effectiveness and efficiency

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or similar
• 5+ years oftechnicalexperience in a Manufacturing, Production, or Process Engineering environment
• Hands-on experience proactively identifying and solving systemic multifaceted problems in complex manufacturing systems
• Ability to effectively deliver multiple complex multifaceted assignments simultaneously with autonomy
• Ability to effectively coach and mentor others to raise the bar across multiple teams
• Detailed technical knowledge in complex manufacturing processes
• Personnel leadership experience
• Capital and facilities justification, project management and implementation
• Perform periodic reviews with direct employees
• Interview and hire candidates to fill new roles
• Create team goals and metrics to drive continuous improvement projects

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Working experience with environmental acceptance/production acceptance testing, such as vibration, shock, thermal, and vacuum
• Understanding of instrumentation, interfaces, and sensors including power supplies, oscilloscopes, serial devices, switch topologies, accelerometers, thermocouples, RTDs, and 4-20mA sensors
• Experience with designing, implementing, and supporting a production line and/or build area
• Experience transitioning products from design to production as a part of cross-functional team in a fast-paced, iterative design environment
• Demonstrated experience with DFMEA, PFMEA methodologies, Fault Tree Analysis, Pareto analysis, root cause and corrective action

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.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

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, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts.

Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role. Benefit programs are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

Base Pay Range (CA Only): $125,000 – $170,000 USD

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]. 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.