Senior Manufacturing Engineer- Composites

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

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in the company

Medical coverage (HMO/PPO)

Vacation: 3 weeks

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Middle River, MD seeks a Senior Manufacturing Engineer for composites to drive development, implementation, and ongoing improvement of composite manufacturing technologies and processes for the Neutron launch vehicle structure. The role focuses on safety, quality, and efficiency in a high‑volume production environment.

Qualifications include a Bachelor’s in a mechanical/aerospace/manufacturing field and 5+ years of relevant experience in composites, with preference for AFP,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, or another technical degree.
• 5+ years of composite manufacturing experience.

Responsibilities

• Identify capital equipment, machine, and layout needs with business cases.
• Develop production processes with testing, safety, and sign‑offs.
• Design tooling and equipment for safe, quality, delivery, and cost targets.
• Contribute to facility construction projects with requirements and design reviews.
• Provide expert input on design for manufacture/test, productivity, and quality.
• Oversee new products and revisions for the Neutron launch vehicle composite structure.
• Lead root-cause investigations and containment actions.
• Analyze and resolve manufacturing discrepancies and non-conformances.
• Introduce automation and link equipment data to MRP and quality systems.
• Identify risks and improvements for the manufacturing engineering team.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians daily.

Skills

Composite manufacturing

3-D CAD software

Tooling design

Automated Fiber Placement

Autoclave & out-of-autoclave

NDT/inspection

Qualification testing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical/aerospace/manufacturing engineering

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Composites

Location: Middle River, MD

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more—all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation, climate change initiatives, national security, and technology demonstrations.

Overview

We are currently seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to be based at Rocket Lab's Space Structures Complex production facility in Middle River, MD. The role is responsible for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of composite manufacturing technologies and processes used in the production of the Neutron Launch Vehicle structure.

Responsibilities

• Identify, plan, and execute capital equipment, machine, and layout definitions to meet volume requirements, including preparation of business cases.
• Develop production processes and ensure they are accurately and clearly documented, including testing procedures, health and safety requirements, and supervisor sign‑offs.
• Design, develop, and implement tooling and equipment for use in a production environment to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost requirements.
• Actively contribute to facility construction projects including requirements generation, design reviews, and implementation support.
• Contribute to design reviews as an expert in design for manufacture, design for test, productivity, supplier capability assessments, and quality control.
• Oversee introduction and implementation of new products and product revisions as related to the Neutron launch vehicle composite structure.
• Lead problem containment and structured root‑cause and corrective‑action investigations.
• Quickly analyze and resolve manufacturing discrepancies and non‑conformances.
• Introduce automation where appropriate and ensure equipment data links directly to MRP and quality systems.
• Identify risks and improvements to develop the manufacturing engineering department to meet company needs.
• Develop and mentor less experienced engineers and technicians daily.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, or another technical degree.
• 5+ years of composite manufacturing experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, Lean/Six Sigma, and value‑stream mapping.
• Experience with 3‑D CAD software and tooling design.
• Experience in Automated Fiber Placement technology.
• Experience with both 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.

Physical Requirements

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.

Compensation

Base Pay Range (MD Only): $115,000 – $144,000 USD.

Benefits

Employees may receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package, including top‑tier medical HMO, PPO, and a 100% company‑sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation, 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include a discounted employee stock purchase program and free snacks/donuts onsite.

Eligibility

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab employees must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or otherwise eligible to obtain required authorizations. For candidates seeking to work in New Zealand offices, eligibility requires citizenship in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO country.

EEO Statement

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.

Accommodation Statement

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application or 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 or interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.