Propulsion Build Engineer II — Hands-on Space Hardware

Rocket Lab USA; Mississippi; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA in Mississippi is seeking a Build Engineer II or Senior Build Engineer I to own the Archimedes engine build activities at the NASA Stennis test facility. You will work hands-on with hardware, drive continuous improvements, and enable high test cadence across development, qualification and acceptance testing.

You will design shop-floor layouts, develop procedures, create build work orders, and support technicians while coordinating with manufacturing and supply chain to ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, or other technical degree.
• 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing, integration or assembly environment.
• Experience with propulsion systems, complex mechanical assemblies, or shop floor operations.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex, hands-on technical problems in real time.

Responsibilities

• Own the build process for the Archimedes engine and related propulsion hardware at the test site.
• Design and implement improvements to shop floor layout and flow to optimize efficiency, safety, and quality of engine builds.
• Develop, document, and improve procedures for assembly, integration and check-out operations.
• Create and maintain engine build work orders to ensure accurate and traceable assembly operations.
• Support technicians performing engine build work, resolving blockers, clarifying build requirements, and providing hands-on guidance as needed.
• Coordinate with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure timely availability of engine parts and materials required for engine builds and rebuilds.
• Work closely with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to implement design changes and drive hardware improvements.
• Maintain consistency with production operations at Neutron production sites by aligning build processes and standards wherever possible.
• Lead and participate in problem containment and structured root cause & corrective action investigations.

Skills

Hands-on problem solving

Propulsion systems

Complex mechanical assemblies

Shop floor operations

2+ years experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, or other technical degree

Tools

Siemens NX

CAD/PLM

Job description

Rocket Lab USA in Mississippi is seeking a Build Engineer II or Senior Build Engineer I to own the Archimedes engine build activities at the NASA Stennis test facility. You will work hands-on with hardware, drive continuous improvements, and enable high test cadence across development, qualification and acceptance testing.

You will design shop-floor layouts, develop procedures, create build work orders, and support technicians while coordinating with manufacturing and supply chain to ensure