Quality Inspector II

Rocket Lab Corporation; City of Long Beach (NY); On-site; USD 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program (15%)

Comprehensive medical plans

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

Flexible spending and dependent care

Paid parental leave

401(k) with company match

EV charging subsidy

Onsite fitness centers

Discounted gym memberships

Snacks and beverages

50% merch store discount

Job summary

Rocket Lab in the United States is seeking a Quality Inspector II – NDT to safeguard the integrity of components and assemblies by developing and applying NDT processes, SOPs, and acceptance criteria in close collaboration with engineering and production teams.

You will perform penetrant inspections, coordinate the NDT team, and apply PT/VT techniques to advanced materials while maintaining documentation and compliance with AS, AMS, AWS, NAS, ASME, and ASTM standards.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in aviation, aerospace, or similar industry.
• Experience performing NDT (PT & VT) testing within the aerospace industry.
• Experience inspecting advanced materials such as high strength aluminum alloys, precipitation hardened steels, Inconel, Monel, titanium, and Maraging steel (super alloys).

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to develop and refine NDT processes, acceptance criteria, and SOPs.
• Coordinate daily activities of the NDT team, ensuring efficient and effective inspection operations.
• Perform advanced penetrant (PT) inspections on components and assemblies to detect defects and ensure compliance with specifications.
• Implement NDT inspection techniques for complex geometries and advanced materials.
• Evaluate penetrant (PT) results to determine the acceptability of materials and components.
• Support research and development efforts for system qualification and certification of critical processes.
• Ensure adherence to NDT standards such as AS, AMS, AWS, NAS, ASME, and ASTM.
• Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to improve NDT processes and eliminate non-conforming products.
• Maintain accurate documentation of inspection results and ensure compliance with quality management systems.
• Stay updated on advancements in NDT technology and techniques to continuously improve inspection capabilities.

Skills

NDT experience (PT & VT)

Aerospace industry experience

Ability to interpret standards and QC

Education

High school diploma or GED

AWS/CWI certification

NDT Level III (PT) certification

Tools

NDT standards (AS, AMS, AWS, NAS, ASME, ASTM)

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.

NEUTRON

Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program. If you’re interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re-usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!

QUALITY INSPECTOR II – NDT

The Quality Inspector II - NDT Technician will play a critical role in ensuring the integrity, reliability, and quality of components and assemblies by collaborating closely with the engineering and production teams. This individual will be responsible for developing and implementing processes, acceptance criteria, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) activities.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to develop and refine NDT processes, acceptance criteria, and SOPs.
• Coordinate daily activities of the NDT team, ensuring efficient and effective inspection operations.
• Perform advanced penetrant (PT) inspections on components and assemblies to detect defects and ensure compliance with specifications.
• Implement NDT inspection techniques for complex geometries and advanced materials.
• Evaluate penetrant (PT) results to determine the acceptability of materials and components.
• Support research and development efforts for system qualification and certification of critical processes.
• Ensure adherence to NDT standards such as AS, AMS, AWS, NAS, ASME, and ASTM.
• Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to improve NDT processes and eliminate non-conforming products.
• Maintain accurate documentation of inspection results and ensure compliance with quality management systems.
• Stay updated on advancements in NDT technology and techniques to continuously improve inspection capabilities.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2+ years of experience in aviation, aerospace, or similar industry
• Experience performing NDT (PT & VT) testing within the aerospace industry
• Experience inspecting advanced materials such as high strength aluminum alloys, precipitation hardened steels, Inconel, Monel, titanium, and Maraging steel (super alloys)
• Knowledge of NDT Standards such as; AS, AMS, AWS, NAS, ASME, ASTM
• High school diploma or GED
• Certifications:
  • Certified in American Welding Society (AWS) or Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).
  • Certification as NDT Level III in penetrant (PT) (per ASNT, NAS 410, or equivalent standards).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work one of the following shifts:
  • 1:15PM - 9:45PM Monday – Friday
• Stand and walk for entire shift (8+ hours) on various work surfaces
• Climb ladders and work at elevated height small spaces, awkward positions, and tight areas as needed
• Perform repetitive motions including bending, twisting, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling, and stooping
• Use hands with precision to handle, control, and operate tools, instruments, and equipment
• Lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment up to 25 lbs.
• Work in varied environments including production floors, equipment areas, and field locations with exposure to noise, temperature variations, and moving machinery
• Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and varied shifts as operational needs require

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. 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.

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.

Hourly Pay Range (CA Only)

$26—$30 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.