Senior Quality Engineer, Space Systems & QMS Lead

Rocket Lab Corp.; Albuquerque, Northern (NM, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer I for its new Albuquerque, NM site. The role focuses on promoting a quality culture, continuous improvement, and compliance with AS9100 across the product lifecycle.

You’ll lead quality initiatives, manage the QMS, and represent the company in quality-related activities. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams on design reviews, new product development, supplier quality, audits, and KPI-driven improvements.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering.
• Experience implementing cross-functional projects in a technical environment.

Responsibilities

• Promote a quality culture focused on continuous improvement and innovation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on design reviews, new product development, and internal specification reviews.
• Monitor product performance and drive efficiency and change across the lifecycle.
• Create and improve QMS procedures, policies, and records to ensure compliance.
• Represent the organization in customer service matters, audits, and inquiries related to quality.
• Lead quality improvements, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and internal audits.
• Support Engineering Change processes and ensure alignment with requirements.
• Verify that in-process and finished products meet performance and appearance requirements.
• Deploy the QMS to support operational excellence.
• Facilitate MRB, CAPA, and RMAs as needed.
• Create, monitor, and automate quality metrics including KPIs and nonconformances.
• Take action when KPIs do not meet expectations.
• Conduct internal and supplier quality audits and manage supplier OTD and corrective actions.
• Develop sampling plans, inspection requirements, and QA procedures for incoming, in-process, and final product quality.
• Participate in staff, design, project, customer, and technical meetings.
• Provide technical support to Quality and Manufacturing Inspectors regarding documentation and non-conformance identification.
• Conduct training and certification of Inspectors as needed.
• Identify non-conformances and participate in root-cause and corrective actions.
• Stop processes when quality is at risk and initiate corrective actions for major nonconformances.
• Travel as required for off-site testing events, customer repair trips, or program meetings.

Skills

5+ years in Electrical/Mechanical/Chem

Cross-functional project experience

Tools

SQL

Adobe Acrobat

Microsoft Office

Power BI

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer I for its new Albuquerque, NM site. The role focuses on promoting a quality culture, continuous improvement, and compliance with AS9100 across the product lifecycle.

You’ll lead quality initiatives, manage the QMS, and represent the company in quality-related activities. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams on design reviews, new product development, supplier quality, audits, and KPI-driven improvements.