Senior Quality Engineer I

Rocket Lab Corporation; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock Purchase Program

Equity Grant

Comprehensive Benefits

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer I to ensure products meet customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements throughout the lifecycle. You'll develop inspection methods, lead nonconformance investigations, and support MRB/FRB activities.

The role emphasizes data-driven decisions using Power BI/Power Apps, calibration coordination, and ESD/FOD compliance. A BS in engineering and 5+ years in quality in manufacturing are required; U.S.

Qualifications

• BS in engineering or related field required.
• 5+ years in Quality Engineering/QA in manufacturing.
• Experience with AS9100 quality management system.
• Proficient in NCRs, CAPA, MRB/FRB processes.
• Experience reading GD&T drawings and metrology data.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute inspection methods to verify product quality and workmanship.
• Ensure compliance with internal procedures, customer requirements, and AS9100 standards.
• Investigate nonconformances and lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Generate, manage, and close NCRs; support MRB/FRB activities.
• Provide quality training to production and engineering teams on standards and ESD/FOD.
• Coordinate calibration activities and maintain metrology controls.
• Analyze quality data and trend metrics using Power BI and Power Apps.

Skills

Quality Engineering

AS9100 knowledge

NCR & CAPA

Root cause analysis

Power BI

GD&T

Engineering drawings

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Power Apps

Calibration systems

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.

SPACE SYSTEMS

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.

The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help get to space – our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR QUALITY ENGINEER I

Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Senior Quality Engineer I for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Chantilly, VA, you will have the opportunity to support Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture by ensuring products meet customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements throughout the product lifecycle.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Develop and execute inspection methods to verify product quality and workmanship
• Ensure products comply with internal procedures, customer requirements, and industry standards such as AS9100
• Investigate products and process nonconformances and lead root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Generate, manage, and close Nonconformance Reports (NCRs), Corrective Action Reports, and support MRB/FRB activities
• Provide quality training and guidance to production and engineering teams on workmanship standards, procedures, ESD, and FOD
• Coordinate and document calibration activities and maintain metrology controls
• Support and maintain compliance with ESD and FOD programs across production and integration areas
• Perform inspections, review inspection data, and document results and findings
• Collect, analyze, and trend quality data using digital tools such as Power Apps and Power BI to support data-driven decision making
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reports to monitor quality metrics, nonconformance trends, corrective action effectiveness, and process performance
• Participate in internal, customer, and third-party quality audits as required
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency, quality, and repeatability of processes
• The Quality Engineer will support, analyze, and report on quality performance using data-driven metrics
• Travel as required to support test campaigns, supplier activities, audits, source inspections, and program milestones
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of quality, compliance, and program execution

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related discipline
• 5+ years of experience in Quality Engineering or Quality Assurance within a manufacturing environment
• Experience working within a Quality Management System; AS9100 experience strongly preferred
• Strong working knowledge of NCRs, CAPA, MRB/FRB, ESD, and FOD controls
• Experience with inspection and test activities, metrology, and calibration systems
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, including GD&T
• Experience analyzing quality data and presenting metrics using tools such as Power BI, Power Apps, Excel, or similar data visualization platforms
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, production, supply chain, and program teams
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience supporting spaceflight hardware or optical/electro-optical systems
• ASQ Quality Engineer or Quality Technician certification
• Experience working with suppliers and subcontractors in a regulated environment
• Familiarity with aerospace customer audits and government contracts
• Experience developing or enhancing Power Apps workflows and Power BI dashboards for quality or manufacturing metrics
• Active U.S. Government security clearance

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.

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay,you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans, dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with company match, and other discounts and perks.

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the state of Virginia’s pay transparency requirements. Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$81,100 - $142,700 USD

$95,200 - $119,000 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, leaves 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 do not 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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Rocket Lab Corporation’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.