Senior Mechanical Supplier Development Engineer (NPI/PPAP)

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 229,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant

Employee stock purchase program

Comprehensive benefits

Stock options

Paid vacation

Sick time

11 paid holidays

Flexible spending

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Senior Supplier Development Engineer I/II – Mechanical to own supplier industrialization for mechanical hardware, from source selection through production ramp, ensuring at-rate delivery and cost targets.

This hands-on role partners with procurement, engineering, and quality to drive DFM, APQP/PPAP, and RCCA, using lean tools to elevate supplier performance across CNC, EDM, additive manufacturing, and assemblies.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end supplier industrialization from source to ramp.
• Partner with procurement and engineering to select suppliers based on capability.
• Conduct supplier capability assessments during qualification phases.
• Lead DFM reviews with design to provide manufacturing feedback.
• Own APQP and ensure PFMEA, control plan, MSA/GR&R deliverables on schedule.
• Drive PPAP readiness and ensure process capability.
• Lead First Article Inspection (FAI) activities with internal teams.
• 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 drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Supplier development

DFM reviews

Project leadership

GD&T reading

Quality improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

APQP

PPAP

PFMEA

MSA/GR&R

3D CAD

CNC machining

Job description

Rocket Lab Corporation in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Senior Supplier Development Engineer I/II – Mechanical to own supplier industrialization for mechanical hardware, from source selection through production ramp, ensuring at-rate delivery and cost targets.

This hands-on role partners with procurement, engineering, and quality to drive DFM, APQP/PPAP, and RCCA, using lean tools to elevate supplier performance across CNC, EDM, additive manufacturing, and assemblies.