Senior Composite Manufacturing Engineer – Space Launch

Rocket Lab; Middle River (MD); On-site; USD 115,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted employee stock purchase

Free snacks/drinks onsite

Company equity

Job summary

Rocket Lab Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Composites based at the Space Structures Complex in Middle River, MD, will drive development and implementation of composite manufacturing tech for the Neutron launch vehicle. You’ll lead process documentation, safety, and productivity improvements while collaborating cross-functionally.

You will also guide tooling development, design for manufacture, and mentor junior engineers, with base salary discussions highlighting market range and comprehensive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, or other technical degree.
• 5+ years of composite manufacturing experience.
• Working experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, Lean/Six Sigma and value stream mapping.
• Experience with 3D CAD software and tooling design.
• Experience in Automated Fiber Placement technology.
• Experience with Autoclave and Out-of-Autoclave composite manufacturing techniques.
• Experience with Non‑Destructive Testing/Inspection of composite components.
• Experience in qualification and acceptance testing of composite structural components.

Responsibilities

• Identify, plan, and execute capital equipment, machine, and layout definitions to meet volume requirements.
• Develop production processes and document testing, health and safety requirements and supervisor sign-offs.
• Design, develop, and implement tooling and equipment for production environments.
• Contribute to facility construction projects including requirements generation and design reviews.
• Contribute to design reviews as an expert in manufacture, test, productivity, and quality control.
• Oversee introduction of new products and revisions to the Neutron composite structure.
• Lead problem containment and root cause corrective actions.
• Analyze and resolve manufacturing discrepancies and non-conformances.
• Introduce automation and ensure data links to MRP and quality systems.
• Identify risks and improvements to grow the manufacturing engineering department.
• Develop and mentor less experienced engineers and technicians daily.

Skills

Composite manufacturing

Design for manufacture

CAD software

Automated Fiber Placement

Autoclave & AO processes

Non-destructive testing

Education

Bachelors in mechanical/aerospace/manufacturing engineering

Tools

3D CAD

Tooling design

Job description

Rocket Lab Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Composites based at the Space Structures Complex in Middle River, MD, will drive development and implementation of composite manufacturing tech for the Neutron launch vehicle. You’ll lead process documentation, safety, and productivity improvements while collaborating cross-functionally.

You will also guide tooling development, design for manufacture, and mentor junior engineers, with base salary discussions highlighting market range and comprehensive