Senior Quality Engineer I – Space Systems (Equity)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Medical, dental and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan with company 1

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer I to support DoD/IC programs, ensure product quality across the lifecycle, and lead root-cause investigations. The role emphasizes NCR/CAPA handling, calibration coordination, and data-driven quality improvement using Power BI/Power Apps.

You will collaborate with engineering, production, and supply chain, and must be eligible for a U.S. Government security clearance.

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 QMS; AS9100 experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of NCRs, CAPA, MRB/FRB, ESD, and FOD controls.
• Experience with inspection, metrology, and calibration systems.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings including GD&T.
• Experience analyzing quality data and presenting metrics with Power BI/Power Apps/Excel.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and root cause skills.
• Ability to collaborate across engineering, production, supply chain, and programs.
• Ability to obtain/maintain U.S. Government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute inspection methods to verify product quality and workmanship.
• Ensure compliance with internal procedures, customer requirements, and AS9100.
• Investigate nonconformances; lead root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Generate/close NCRs, CAPA, MRB/FRB support.
• Provide quality training to production and engineering teams on workmanship standards.
• Coordinate calibration activities and maintain metrology controls.
• Support ESD and FOD programs across production/integration areas.
• Perform inspections and document results.
• Analyze and trend quality data using digital tools to support decisions.
• Develop dashboards/reports to monitor quality metrics and process performance.
• Participate in audits and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Bachelor's degree in engineering or a

5+ years of Quality Engineering/QA

AS9100 experience

NCRs, CAPA, MRB/FRB, ESD, FOD controls

Inspection, metrology, calibration

Read GD&T drawings

Power BI, Power Apps, Excel data viz

Analytical, root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

U.S. Government security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline

Tools

Power BI

Power Apps

Excel

Job description

Rocket Lab in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer I to support DoD/IC programs, ensure product quality across the lifecycle, and lead root-cause investigations. The role emphasizes NCR/CAPA handling, calibration coordination, and data-driven quality improvement using Power BI/Power Apps.

You will collaborate with engineering, production, and supply chain, and must be eligible for a U.S. Government security clearance.