Senior Electrical Supplier Development Engineer — NPI & PPAP

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 102,000 - 229,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

401(k) match

Stock purchase program

Job summary

Rocket Lab seeks a Senior Supplier Development Engineer I/II - Electrical based in Long Beach, CA. You will own the electrical supplier base, driving industrialization from source selection through PPAP and ramp, partnering with procurement and engineering to ensure conforming hardware for rocket programs.

You will lead DFM reviews, qualify suppliers, and drive continuous improvement using lean and SPC methods, with a strong emphasis on CPk, MSA, and process capability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or closely related discipline.
• 5+ years’ experience in a regulated industry (aerospace/medical/automotive/industrial).
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, MSA, and CpK/PpK.
• Experience conducting DFM reviews and translating design intent into manufacturing and quality requirements.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, and PCB layouts.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end supplier industrialization for electrical hardware through NPI, PPAP, and ramp.
• Evaluate suppliers across PCB manufacturing, SMT, wire harness, connectors, and electro‑mechanical assembly.
• Conduct supplier capability assessments during qualification phases.
• Lead DFM reviews with design engineering at the earliest program stage.
• Own APQP/PPAP deliverables — PFMEA, control plan, MSA/GR&R, and dimensional results.
• Drive PPAP and ensure CPk demonstrated for at-rate production.
• Lead First Article Inspection (FAI) with internal teams.
• Identify systemic gaps and drive supplier improvement plans.
• Lead RCCA for supplier quality issues and implement robust actions.
• Apply lean tools (SPC, CPk) to drive continuous improvement across supply base.

Skills

Supplier industrialization

APQP/PPAP/PFMEA

DFM reviews

Engineering drawings

PCB layouts

Sourcing & qualification

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

PCB manufacturing

SMT assembly

Quality tools (Cpk, MSA)

Job description

Rocket Lab seeks a Senior Supplier Development Engineer I/II - Electrical based in Long Beach, CA. You will own the electrical supplier base, driving industrialization from source selection through PPAP and ramp, partnering with procurement and engineering to ensure conforming hardware for rocket programs.

You will lead DFM reviews, qualify suppliers, and drive continuous improvement using lean and SPC methods, with a strong emphasis on CPk, MSA, and process capability.