Manufacturing Engineer I

rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Equity grant

Top-tier medical plans

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer I focused on Machining to advance the fabrication of Archimedes components and Rutherford engine hardware. You will drive design for manufacture, select equipment, and develop in-house machining capabilities.

This role enables rapid iterations, cost improvements, and collaboration across Rocket Lab machine shops, with equity incentives and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing engineering or equivalent.
• Experience in a machine shop environment.
• Experience in CAM software and 3- and 5-axis CNC equipment.
• Well versed in GD&T and inspection methods.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to design reviews as an expert in design for manufacture, machining, productivity and quality control.
• Select, procure and install machine shop equipment with maintenance/calibration plans.
• Develop in-house machining capability for Archimedes components with rapid iterations.
• Design and implement tooling and equipment for production to improve quality, delivery and cost.
• Drive continuous improvement and cost-reduction projects in fabrication.
• Collaborate with other Rocket Lab machine shops for alignment and support.

Skills

Machine shop experience

CAM software

GD&T

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing engineering

Tools

CAM software

5-axis CNC

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.

MANUFACTURING

Rocket Lab's Manufacturing teams are the builders and the doers who work with our advanced machinery across our global manufacturing sites to get our satellites, satellite components, and rockets out the door. They bring the designs of our engineers to life by using advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing to create our hardware, and are responsible for delivering our projects and missions on time and on budget to our customers.

MANUFACTURING ENGINEER I - MACHINING

We are currently seeking an experience Manufacturing Engineer with a focus in Machining based out of Rocket Lab's Headquarters in Long Beach, CA. They will be responsible for the machining development of new products and product revisions as related to the Rutherford engine (currently in use on the 2nd most frequently launched US rocket), and the Archimedes engine where they will have an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a novel rocket engine build!

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Contribute to design reviews acting as an expert in design for manufacture, design for machining, productivity, quality control, etc.
• Select, procure, and install machine shop equipment along with developing maintenance/calibration plans.
• Develop machining capability in-house for the Archimedes components and implement rapid iterations.
• Design, develop, and implement tooling and equipment for use in a production environment where appropriate to improve quality, delivery and/or cost performance.
• Responsible for continuous improvement and cost reduction projects belonging to the fabrication department.
• Collaborate with other Rocket Lab machine shops for general alignment, capability, and support.

QUALIFICATIONS YOU'LL BRING:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing engineering, or equivalent.
• Experience in a machine shop environment.
• Experience in CAM software 3 and 5-axis CNC equipment.
• Well versed in GD&T and inspection methods.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Working experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, Lean/Six Sigma and value stream mapping.
• Experience with 3D CAD software and tooling design.
• Experience machining turbomachinery and combustion device components.
• Familiarity with post processing methods, AM and welding.
• NX CAM programming and operating 5-axis CNC machining.

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.

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package , giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

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.

Total Compensation (base and equity) $89,350 - $115,025 USD

Base Salary $82,400 - $103,000 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 s