Senior Supplier Development Engineer I/II - Mechanical

Rocket Lab USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 102,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Medical plans

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

HSAs with company contribution

401(k) with company match

Onsite fitness centers

Discounts on company merch

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA seeks a Senior Supplier Development Engineer I/II (Mechanical) to own the supplier base for mechanical hardware, drive end-to-end industrialization, and enable at-rate production. You will collaborate with procurement, engineering, and quality to qualify suppliers, conduct DFMs, and manage PPAP processes.

The role requires hands-on supplier leadership, cross-functional teamwork, and deep knowledge of APQP/PPAP, PFMEA, and GD&T.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, MSA, and CPk/Ppk.
• Experience conducting DFM reviews and translating design intent into manufacturing and quality requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), and 3D CAD models.
• Minimum 5 years' experience working in a regulated industry Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, Industrial, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end supplier industrialization for mechanical hardware from source selection and process qualification through NPI, PPAP, and rate production ramp.
• Partner with procurement and engineering to identify, evaluate, and select suppliers based on process capability, quality systems, and capacity across CNC machining, EDM, grinding, additive manufacturing, welding and electro‑mechanical assemblies.
• Conduct supplier capability assessments during qualification phases, evaluating tooling maturity, measurement systems, process controls, and workforce qualification against program requirements.
• Lead Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews with design engineering at the earliest program stage, providing actionable feedback on feature complexity, datum schemes, tolerance stack-ups, and design characteristics that drive cost or quality risk.
• Own the APQP process at suppliers, driving completion of all quality planning deliverables - process flow, PFMEA, control plan, MSA/GR&R, and dimensional results - on schedule and to the required standard.
• Drive the PPAP program as a production readiness gate; define required submission levels, disposition supplier packages, and ensure process capability (Cpk) is demonstrated on critical and significant characteristics to enable at rate production.
• Lead First Article Inspection (FAI) activities at suppliers and in coordination with internal quality teams; ensure all findings are resolved to closure within project timelines.
• Identify systemic performance gaps; own supplier improvement plans and drive measurable progress against quality, cost, delivery, and capacity targets.
• Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA) for supplier quality issues and escapes, applying structured problem‑solving methods (8D, 5-Why) and validating that corrective actions are robust and sustained across all applicable parts and production lines.
• Apply lean manufacturing and statistical quality tools - including SPC, Cpk trending, and process audits – to drive continuous improvement across the mechanical supply base and eliminate sources of recurring defect.

Skills

Regulated industry exposure

Reading engineering drawings

Design for Manufacturability knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

APQP/PPAP

PFMEA / control plans / MSA / CPk

3D CAD

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

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.

SUPPLY CHAIN

Rocket Lab's Supply Chain team is responsible for the flow of all materials, products, and components through the business. With many of our own products functioning as critical components to our own and our customers' missions, the Supply Chain team has a direct impact on the success of our rocket and satellite programs. They set up the assembly kits that enables our technicians to put together our Electron rockets, manage inventory, look after shipping and receiving, manage direct and indirect procurement, and inspect and ensure that all of our materials and products are compliant and up to standard. They are the chain that links our teams together, and are critical to our success.

SENIOR SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER I/II - MECHANICAL

Based out of Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA the Senior Supplier Development Engineer I/II - Mechanical is the primary technical owner of the supply base for a broad portfolio of mechanical hardware. This role is responsible for leading the end-to-end industrialization of suppliers from source selection and process qualification through NPI, PPAP, and production ramp thereby ensuring that every supplier can deliver conforming hardware at rate, on cost, and on schedule.

This is a hands‑on, supplier‑facing role requiring deep commodity knowledge across mechanical domains including but not limited to Complex Machined Parts, Electro‑Mechanical Assemblies, Structural Composites, 3D printing and raw materials. The SDE operates proactively at the intersection of design, manufacturing, procurement, and quality. They are the ultimate internal advocate for supply chain manufacturability and capability.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Lead end-to-end supplier industrialization for mechanical hardware from source selection and process qualification through NPI, PPAP, and rate production ramp.
• Partner with procurement and engineering to identify, evaluate, and select suppliers based on process capability, quality systems, and capacity across CNC machining, EDM, grinding, additive manufacturing, welding and electro‑mechanical assemblies.
• Conduct supplier capability assessments during qualification phases, evaluating tooling maturity, measurement systems, process controls, and workforce qualification against program requirements.
• Lead Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews with design engineering at the earliest program stage, providing actionable feedback on feature complexity, datum schemes, tolerance stack-ups, and design characteristics that drive cost or quality risk.
• Own the APQP process at suppliers, driving completion of all quality planning deliverables - process flow, PFMEA, control plan, MSA/GR&R, and dimensional results - on schedule and to the required standard.
• Drive the PPAP program as a production readiness gate; define required submission levels, disposition supplier packages, and ensure process capability (Cpk) is demonstrated on critical and significant characteristics to enable at rate production.
• Lead First Article Inspection (FAI) activities at suppliers and in coordination with internal quality teams; ensure all findings are resolved to closure within project timelines.
• Identify systemic performance gaps; own supplier improvement plans and drive measurable progress against quality, cost, delivery, and capacity targets.
• Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA) for supplier quality issues and escapes, applying structured problem‑solving methods (8D, 5-Why) and validating that corrective actions are robust and sustained across all applicable parts and production lines.
• Apply lean manufacturing and statistical quality tools - including SPC, Cpk trending, and process audits – to drive continuous improvement across the mechanical supply base and eliminate sources of recurring defect.

**(This position can be hired as a Senior Supplier Development Engineer I or Senior Supplier Development Engineer II)**

QUALIFICATIONS YOU'LL BRING AS A SENIOR SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER I

• Minimum 5 years' experience working in a regulated industry Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, Industrial, or similar
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, MSA, and statistical process capability (Cpk/Ppk).
• Experience conducting DFM reviews and translating design intent into manufacturing and quality requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), and 3D CAD models.

QUALIFICATIONS YOU'LL BRING AS A SENIOR SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER II

• Minimum 8 years' experience working in a regulated industry Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, Industrial, or similar
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, MSA, and statistical process capability (Cpk/Ppk).
• Experience conducting DFM reviews and translating design intent into manufacturing and quality requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), and 3D CAD models.

WHAT MAKES A GREAT CANDIDATE:

Beyond technical qualifications, we are looking for someone who:

• Owns problems all the way to resolution - doesn't hand off and walk away.
• Is proactive at suppliers, not reactive; identifies risks before they become escapes.
• Can translate complex engineering requirements into clear, actionable supplier expectations.
• Builds genuine working relationships with supplier technical teams and earns trust through competence.
• Communicates with clarity and urgency across internal engineering, procurement, quality, and program management.
• Thrives in a fast‑paced, resource-constrained environment and makes high‑quality decisions under schedule pressure.
• Brings intellectual curiosity about manufacturing - enjoys spending time on the shop floor understanding how things are made.

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.

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.

Important information:

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.

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 (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), 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, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

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)

$122,600—$228,875 USD

Base Salary

$102,400—$171,600 USD