Senior Supplier Quality Engineer I - Neutron Long Beach, California, United States

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer to join their dynamic team in Long Beach. This role is critical for ensuring that quality standards for procured parts and services are met, facilitating communication between suppliers and internal teams. You will lead supplier audits, create quality control plans, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Join a pioneering company that is at the forefront of space technology and make a meaningful impact on ambitious missions that support scientific exploration and national security. This is an exciting opportunity to elevate your career while contributing to groundbreaking projects.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in regulated industries like Aerospace or Automotive.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant engineering fields is required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure quality requirements for procured parts and services are met.
• Perform supplier audits and manage non-conformance reports.
• Drive continuous improvement in supplier quality and processes.

Skills

Supplier Quality Management

Communication Skills

Negotiation Skills

Root Cause Analysis

Continuous Improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronic Engineering

Tools

PFMEA

GD&T

Measurement Systems Analysis

Job description

Senior Supplier Quality Engineer I - Neutron

Long Beach, California, United States

Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations. Our Electron rocket has provided reliable access to orbit since 2018, becoming one of the most frequently launched rockets in the world. Neutron will be our next rocket on the launch pad, an advanced 13-tonne payload class, reusable rocket to launch the mega constellations of the future.

Join our pioneering team and launch your career to new heights!

SENIOR SUPPLIER QUALITY ENGINEER I – NEUTRON

Based out of Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA the Senior Supplier Quality Engineer I - Neutron is responsible for ensuring the quality requirements for procured parts (mechanical components), services & processes are achieved. Working as a liaison between our internal customers and suppliers you are a critical conduit for translating technical requirements into easy and clear specifications that suppliers can achieve. Your exceptional communication and negotiation skills will encourage suppliers to strive for improvement, implement more robust quality processes and drive cost reduction, process efficiency whilst enabling smooth management of the sometimes-conflicting priorities between customers & suppliers. The role will also include creation of non-conformance reports, performing supplier audits, managing supplier concessions, and identifying opportunities for improvement to reduce risk, cost, or lead time to Rocket Lab.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Establish fundamental Supplier Quality systems and processes to drive the business forward
• Generate metrics and tools to enhance visibility of supplier performance
• Continuous improvement of purchased product quality
• Performing on site and remote supplier audits
• Creation of internal and external quality control plans
• Creation of quality standards, processes, and procedures
• Creation of Non-Conformance reports and CAPA management
• Performing quality investigations
• Identifying processes failures at suppliers
• Drive to understand root causes and ensure implementation of corrective actions
• Deploying PFMEA tools, techniques & training to support targeted improvement actions
• Support suppliers with scaling up their production processes to achieve the future quality cost and delivery targets
• Follow-up & verify corrective action implementations and audit findings
• Strong focus on quality improvement at source and driving cost reduction opportunities
• Working with suppliers to introduce new products into production (NPI, APQP, PPAP)
• Liaise between suppliers, development, production, and senior management
• Ensure health and safety policies and standard operating procedures are followed at both Rocket Lab and supplier sites

QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS A SENIOR SUPPLIER QUALITY ENGINEER I - NEUTRON:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering; or other engineering degree
• 5+ years of experience working in a regulated industry, such as Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, or Industrial

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Exposure to regulatory standards such as AS9100, ISO9001, ISO13485, IATF 16949
• Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) knowledge
• Fabrication, CNC, and 3D printing knowledge
• Practical experience leading and investigating quality related issues
• Experience with Root cause Investigations, Practical Problem solving, 8D’s, 5 Why’s, Fishbone diagrams, Ishikawa and/or similar problem-solving tools
• The ability to interpret engineering drawings and geometric dimensions
• Experience leading and managing projects
• Experience successfully developing and introducing new products to production
• Experience with a wide range of specialized technical manufacturing processes
• NPI/APQP/PPAP experience
• Understanding of Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), Gauge R&R

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise

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.

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.