Senior Mechanical Supplier Development Engineer

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

Job summary

Rocket Lab, based in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Senior Supplier Development Engineer I/II - Mechanical to own supplier industrialization for mechanical hardware and oversee critical PPAP/DFM activities. You’ll partner with procurement and engineering to optimize process capability and ensure on-time ramp to production.

The role requires 5+ years in a regulated industry and a engineering degree. Expect hands-on supplier interaction, design-for-manufacturing input, and leadership across QA and supply

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a regulated industry (Aerospace/Medical/Automotive/Industrial)
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering
• Proficient in 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 engineering drawings, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), and 3D CAD models

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end supplier industrialization for mechanical hardware from source selection through NPI, PPAP, and ramp.
• Collaborate with procurement and engineering to evaluate suppliers based on process capability, quality systems, and capacity across CNC, EDM, grinding, additive manufacturing, welding, and assemblies.
• Perform supplier capability assessments during qualification, evaluating tooling maturity, measurement systems, process controls, and workforce qualification.
• Lead DFMs reviews early in programs, providing feedback on feature complexity, tolerances, and cost/quality risk.
• Own the APQP process at suppliers, ensuring completion of PFMEA, control plans, MSA/GR&R, and dimensional results on schedule.
• Drive PPAP as a production readiness gate with defined submission levels and supplier package dispositions.
• Lead First Article Inspection (FAI) and coordinate with internal QA to close findings.
• Identify systemic gaps and lead supplier improvement plans focusing on quality, cost, delivery, and capacity.
• Lead RCCA for supplier issues using 8D, 5-Why and ensure robust corrective actions across production lines.
• Apply Lean and SPC tools to reduce defects and improve manufacturability and efficiency.

Skills

APQP/PPAP knowledge

PFMEA & control plans

GD&T (ASME Y14.5)

DFM reviews

Cpk/Ppk (statistical capability)

3D CAD reading

Supplier quality management

Supplier sourcing/selection

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical/Electrical/Manufacturing Eng

Job description

Rocket Lab, based in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Senior Supplier Development Engineer I/II - Mechanical to own supplier industrialization for mechanical hardware and oversee critical PPAP/DFM activities. You’ll partner with procurement and engineering to optimize process capability and ensure on-time ramp to production.

The role requires 5+ years in a regulated industry and a engineering degree. Expect hands-on supplier interaction, design-for-manufacturing input, and leadership across QA and supply