Senior Electrical Supplier Development Lead – Space Hardware

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 102,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Comprehensive benefits

401(k) match

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Supplier Development Engineer I/II - Electrical to own end-to-end supplier industrialization of electrical hardware, including PCBAs, harnesses, connectors and power systems. You will drive APQP/PPAP processes and lead DFM reviews with design engineering.

You'll partner with procurement and engineering to qualify suppliers, oversee FAI and PPAP submissions, and push continuous improvement using lean tools and SPC in a fast-paced aerospace

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience working in a regulated industry (Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, Industrial, or similar).
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, MSA, and statistical process capability (Cpk/Ppk).
• Experience conducting DFM reviews and translating design intent into manufacturing and quality requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, and PCB layouts.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end supplier industrialization for electrical hardware from source selection to ramp.
• Evaluate suppliers based on process capability, quality systems, and capacity across PCB, SMT, wire harness, connectors, and electro-mechanical integration.
• Conduct supplier capability assessments during qualification phases.
• Lead Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews with design engineering at the earliest program stage.
• Own the APQP process at suppliers and ensure PFMEA, control plans, MSA/GR&R are completed.
• Drive PPAP submission levels and ensure process capability (Cpk) for at-rate production.
• Lead First Article Inspection (FAI) with internal teams and close findings.
• Identify systemic gaps and drive supplier-improvement plans.
• Lead RCCA for supplier quality issues using 8D and 5-Why.
• Apply lean and SPC tools to improve electrical supplier quality.
• Position may be hired as Senior Supplier Development Engineer I or II.

Skills

Supplier development

Electrical engineering

APQP/PPAP

DFM reviews

PCB layouts

Quality systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

PCB manufacturing

SMT

Measurement systems

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Supplier Development Engineer I/II - Electrical to own end-to-end supplier industrialization of electrical hardware, including PCBAs, harnesses, connectors and power systems. You will drive APQP/PPAP processes and lead DFM reviews with design engineering.

You'll partner with procurement and engineering to qualify suppliers, oversee FAI and PPAP submissions, and push continuous improvement using lean tools and SPC in a fast-paced aerospace