Senior Space Solar Panel Production Engineer

Rocket Lab USA; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Albuquerque, NM seeks a Senior Production Engineer I to develop and maintain manufacturing processes for space-grade solar panels, ensuring reliability in orbit. You will support the Panel Engineering Manager and production teams, delivering critical deliverables for leadership and investors.

Responsibilities include championing manufacturing methods, reducing on-floor hurdles, and developing standard work for automated assembly lines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years related experience supporting a manufacturing line in a technical role.
• Attention to detail and demonstrated experience with writing technical instruction documents.

Responsibilities

• Function as the technical champion of our manufacturing processes on the production floor.
• Liaise between technical/process groups and operations/execution teams.
• Remove hurdles to enable operators and technicians to excel on the line.
• Develop understanding of design, construction, and manufacturing methods of solar panels.
• Understand effects of temperature, strain and space environment on materials used in solar panels.
• Develop knowledge of welding, fixturing, and additive manufacturing for high throughput assembly.
• Understand dispensing and cure of space-grade adhesives and their cure factors.
• Learn electrical circuits used in solar panels and related design constraints.
• Support manufacturing capability and work with area engineers to monitor and improve processes.
• Use PLCs and process automation to support automated assembly lines.
• Document standard work instructions for new processes.
• Train operators on equipment use and provide daily support.
• Build collaborative relationships with operators, technicians, engineers, and managers.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Technical writing

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related technical field

Tools

PLC systems

Automated manufacturing tools

Programming or scripting

Job description

Rocket Lab in Albuquerque, NM seeks a Senior Production Engineer I to develop and maintain manufacturing processes for space-grade solar panels, ensuring reliability in orbit. You will support the Panel Engineering Manager and production teams, delivering critical deliverables for leadership and investors.

Responsibilities include championing manufacturing methods, reducing on-floor hurdles, and developing standard work for automated assembly lines.