Senior Avionics Manufacturing Engineer I

Rocket Lab USA; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock purchase program

Comprehensive medical plans

Dental and vision coverage

401(k)

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA in Pasadena, CA is seeking a Senior Avionics Manufacturing Engineer I to lead the development and optimization of avionics manufacturing processes onsite. You will collaborate with design, production, quality, and supply chain teams to translate designs into repeatable, well-documented processes for high‑reliability spacecraft hardware.

You will own production travelers, develop build methods, and drive root-cause analyses with a hands-on mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in electrical, manufacturing, aerospace or similar engineering discipline.
• 5+ years in avionics/electrical/manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of electronic circuits, design principles and manufacturing techniques.
• Experience developing manufacturing processes, work instructions, or test procedures for complex hardware.
• U.S. Citizenship is required due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide solutions for reliability and quality of electromechanical assemblies and their test fixtures.
• Review fabrication and assembly documentation to improve manufacturability and cost efficiency.
• Develop build methods to increase throughput and reduce error.
• Create and maintain work instructions, travelers, test procedures, and visual aids for clear communication between engineering and technicians.
• Oversee production travelers and manufacturing documentation for traceability and compliance.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to shortages, late drawings, and supply constraints.

Skills

Electronic circuits knowledge

Manufacturing processes development

Test procedures development

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Tools

DFMEA / PFMEA

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.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we're not just launching rockets - we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it's a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space - our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR AVIONICS MANUFACTURING ENGINEER I

Rocket Lab Robotics specializes in high-performance robotic systems and precision mechanisms that enable the most ambitious space missions, including NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover and CADRE lunar rovers. Leveraging Mars-proven expertise from Motiv Space Systems, we deliver scalable, flight-proven solutions - such as robotic arms, motion control systems, and solar array drive assemblies (SADAs) - to support planetary exploration, satellite servicing, and national security missions.

We are currently seeking a Senior Avionics Manufacturing Engineer I to be based onsite at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA. You will develop, implement, and continuously improve avionics processes through strong working knowledge of EEE piece parts, PCB, PCBA, electromechanical assembly, tooling, test, and quality techniques. You will work closely with design engineering, production, quality, supply chain, and highly skilled technicians to translate designs into efficient, repeatable, and well-documented manufacturing processes. You'll play a critical role in supporting all aspects of Avionics production at Rocket Lab Robotics by taking ownership of products released to production, removing production blockers, dispositioning issue tickets, performing root-cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on problem solving, rapid iteration, and building the processes that enable complex robotics hardware to move from prototype through production.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Work closely with responsible design engineers to provide solutions for reliability and quality of electromechanical assemblies and associated test fixtures
• Review fabrication and assembly documentation for flight and production hardware, providing manufacturability feedback to improve build efficiency, reduce risk, and optimize cost without compromising quality or performance
• Develop build methods to increase throughput, reduce opportunities for error, simplify technician workflows, and improve manufacturability.
• Collect, document, and communicate lessons learned from builds to design engineering, manufacturing, quality, and production teams.
• Develop and maintain clear work instructions, travelers, test procedures, and visual aids to ensure effective communication between engineering and technicians.
• Oversee the creation, maintenance, and accuracy of production travelers and manufacturing documentation to ensure traceability, quality compliance, and efficient execution of manufacturing processes.
• Maintain integrated planning and build documents that reflect current hardware configurations, work scope, priorities, and production readiness.
• Identify and mitigate risks tied to shortages, late drawing release, process planning gaps, and supply constraints
• Quickly analyze and resolve manufacturing discrepancies and non-conformances and collaborate with the quality team to identify and drive quality-related initiatives and improvements
• Develop production procedures and processes and ensure they are accurately and clearly documented to allow repeatable and reliable manufacturing
• Contribute and steer design reviews, acting as an expert in design for manufacture and test.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, aerospace engineering, or similar engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience in an avionics, electrical or electrical/mechanical focused manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of electronic circuits, design principles, and manufacturing techniques
• Experience developing manufacturing processes, work instructions, or test procedures for complex hardware.
• U.S Citizenship required due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience transitioning products from design to production as a part of cross-functional team in a fast-paced, iterative design environment.
• 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
• Demonstrated experience with DFMEA, PFMEA methodologies, Fault Tree Analysis, Pareto analysis, root cause and corrective action.
• Working experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, Lean/Six Sigma, and value stream mapping
• SPC knowledge and experience applying statistical methods to track process capability and performance.

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)

$135,475 — $194,075 USD

Base Salary

$115,000 — $158,400 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] 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 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.