Manufacturing Engineer II - Propulsion

rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time off & holidays

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Manufacturing Engineer II - Propulsion to oversee new product introductions for Launch and Space Systems engines. You will support leadership with deliverables for executives and investors, implementing factory layouts, tooling, and production processes.

Responsibilities include process documentation, testing procedures, safety, and coordinating with quality and maintenance teams to drive cost and delivery improvements in a fast-paced, regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in mechanical/manufacturing/aerospace engineering or equivalent.
• 2+ years in a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Fundamentals in fluid and structural mechanics.
• Knowledge of aerospace materials manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to design reviews as an expert in manufacturability and testability.
• Perform Value Stream Mapping and Method of Manufacture planning.
• Implement factory layouts, equipment selection, FAT/SAT, and production commissioning.
• Develop production processes with testing, health and safety requirements and signoffs.
• Interface with quality to resolve manufacturing issues and lead root-cause investigations.
• Design and implement tooling and equipment to improve quality, delivery and cost.
• Lead continuous improvement using lean tools such as 5S.
• Introduce automation and link equipment data to MRP and quality systems.

Skills

Design for manufacture

Value Stream Mapping

Lean manufacturing

Automation

5S

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

2+ years of professional engineering experience in regulated manufacturing

Advanced degree in Manufacturing / Mechanical / Aerospace (nice to have)

Tools

MRP systems

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.

ENGINEERING

Engineering is at the heart of Rocket Lab. Our engineering team has a proven track record of designing and developing world-class rockets and spacecraft that are changing the way we access and use space. You'll work alongside driven, talented engineers from varied backgrounds and experience levels, all committed to the same mission. Our engineering team members span design, analysis, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, assembly and integration, quality control, engineering documentation, and more.

MANUFACTURING ENGINEER II - PROPULSION

Based out of Rocket Lab's Engine Development Center in Long Beach, CA the Manufacturing Engineer II - Propulsion is responsible for overseeing the introduction and implementation of new products and product revisions as related to both Launch and Space Systems engines. You will support the Director of Manufacturing Engineering and Production organization, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors and investors.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Contribute to design reviews acting as an expert in design for manufacture, design for test, productivity, supplier capability assessments, quality control, etc.
• Perform initial Value Stream Mapping Exercises, Method of Manufacture plans, cell design, etc.
• Implement Factory layouts, Equipment selection, FAT, SAT, and production commissioning.
• Develop production processes and ensure they are accurately and clearly documented, including testing procedures, health and safety requirements and supervisor signoffs.
• Interface with the quality team to resolve manufacturing engineering quality responsibilities, and when required, lead problem containment and structured root cause & corrective action investigations.
• Design, develop, and implement tooling and equipment for use in a production environment where appropriate to improve quality, delivery and/or cost performance.
• Lead the continuous improvement process in your area using lean tools and techniques such as 5S.
• Introduce automation where appropriate and ensure equipment data links directly to MRP and quality systems.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A MANUFACTURING ENGINEER II - PROPULSION:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, aerospace engineering, or similar engineering discipline
• 2+ years of professional engineering experience in a highly regulated manufacturing environment
• Understanding of fluid and structural mechanics fundamentals
• Knowledge in manufacturing processes for aerospace materials

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Advanced engineering degree (Preferably, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace)
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes common to fluid components
• Experience with assembly & testing of turbomachinery and combustion devices
• Experience with designing, implementing, and supporting a production line and/or build area
• Experience with manufacturing processes, including but not limited to TIG, EB and laser welding, heat treating, metal forming, additive manufacturing, CNC machining and precision cleaning
• Experience transitioning products from design to production as a part of cross-functional team in a fast-paced, iterative design environment
• Experience performing root cause and corrective action projects and PFMEA / DFMEA of manufacturing processes and products

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 availab