Senior Manufacturing Engineer I - TPA

Rocket Lab Corp.; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 164,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer I focused on turbopump assembly for the Archimedes engine. You will develop production processes, mentor technicians, and drive continuous improvement in a heavy development manufacturing environment.

You will work with design, tooling, and quality teams to improve cost, delivery, and manufacturability, applying lean principles and DF&M practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing engineering or similar engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in a heavy development manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of fluid and structural mechanics fundamentals.
• Knowledge in manufacturing processes for aerospace materials.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and coach team members on technical and professional development.
• Define and maintain standards of excellence through documentation and training.
• Contribute to engineering process development and documentation at Rocket Lab.
• Lead design-for-manufacture considerations in reviews and tooling design.
• Develop production processes and ensure proper documentation, testing procedures, and safety requirements.

Skills

5+ years experience

Fluid & structural mechanics

Aerospace manufacturing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing engineering

Job description

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.

ENGINEERING

Engineering is at the heart of Rocket Lab. Our engineering team has a proven track record of designing and developing world‑class rockets and spacecraft that are changing the way we access and use space. You’ll work alongside driven, talented engineers from varied backgrounds and experience levels, all committed to the same mission. Our engineering team members span design, analysis, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, assembly and integration, quality control, engineering documentation, and more.

SENIOR MANUFACTURING ENGINEER I - TURBOPUMP ASSEMBLY

Based out of Rocket Lab's Headquarters for Long Beach, CA the Senior Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for the development of new products and product revisions as related to both Rutherford and Archimedes engines. This role will have primary responsibility over the turbopump assembly for the Archimedes engine. You will support the Director of Manufacturing Engineering and Production organization, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Mentor and coach people within the team on technical and professionaldevelopment
• Define and maintainstandardofexcellencefortheirteam through documentation, training, coaching, and review of others’ work
• Contribute to engineering process developmentanddocumentationat Rocket Lab related to areas of experience
• Contribute to design reviews acting as an expert in design for manufacture, design for machining, productivity, quality control, etc.
• Design, develop, and implement tooling and equipment for use in a production environment where appropriate to improve quality, delivery and/or cost performance
• Responsible for continuous improvement and cost reduction projects
• Collaborate with propulsion assembly technicians for general alignment, capability, and support
• Perform initial Value Stream Mapping Exercises, Method of Manufacture plans, cell design, etc.
• Implement Factory layouts, Equipment selection, FAT, SAT, and production commissioning
• Develop production processes and ensure they are accurately and clearly documented, including testing procedures, health and safety requirements and supervisor signoffs
• Interface with the quality team to resolve manufacturing engineering quality responsibilities, and when required, lead problem containment and structured root cause & corrective action investigations
• Lead the continuous improvement process in your area using lean tools and techniques such as 5S

QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing engineering, or similar engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience in a heavy development manufacturing environment
• Understanding of fluid and structural mechanics fundamentals
• Knowledge in manufacturing processes for aerospace materials

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Advanced engineering degree
• Experience with design, testing and development of turbopumps or similar turbomachinery
• Experience contributing to and steering design reviews and provide technical expertise in support of design for manufacture, test, and assembly
• Well versed in GD&T and inspection methods
• Working experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, Lean/Six Sigma and value stream mapping
• Experience with 3D CAD software and tooling design

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

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$164,000 — $194,000 USD

$115,000 — $158,000 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.

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, leave 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]. This 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.