Senior Quality Engineer I — Space Systems (Data-Driven QA)

Rocket Lab; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 95,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock purchase plan

Medical plans

Dental & vision

Paid time off

Holidays

401(k) match

Job summary

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Chantilly, VA seeks a Senior Quality Engineer I to help ensure products meet customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements throughout the lifecycle.

You will develop inspection methods, lead root-cause analysis, manage NCRs and CAPA, and drive data‑driven improvements using Power BI and Power Apps. This role offers equity and a comprehensive benefits package as part of Rocket Lab’s total rewards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in Quality Engineering or Quality Assurance within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

Quality engineering experience

NCRs, CAPA, MRB/FRB knowledge

Data analysis and metrics

Cross-functional collaboration

Security clearance ability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related discipline

Tools

Power BI

Power Apps

Excel

Metrology calibration systems

Job description

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Chantilly, VA seeks a Senior Quality Engineer I to help ensure products meet customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements throughout the lifecycle.

You will develop inspection methods, lead root-cause analysis, manage NCRs and CAPA, and drive data‑driven improvements using Power BI and Power Apps. This role offers equity and a comprehensive benefits package as part of Rocket Lab’s total rewards.