Sr. CNC Programmer Engineering Specialist

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Manufacturing Specialist to optimize and develop critical manufacturing processes for Terran R, our next-gen reusable rocket. This role involves close collaboration with engineering teams, design drafting, and enhancing manufacturability by implementing complex tooling and processes to ensure AS9100D compliance.

Benefits

Generous vacation policy

Annual L&D stipend

Qualifications

• 7 to 8 years of progressive and related experience in manufacturing.
• Ability to interface with engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Skills in 3D & 2D design/drafting (ASME Y14.5M).

Responsibilities

• Optimize manufacturing processes for AS9100D compliance.
• Develop processes alongside engineering for new designs.
• Manage manufacturing BOMs and specifications.

Skills

3D & 2D design/drafting skills

Experience working with subtractive manufacturing

Experience with GD&T

Experience performing trade studies

Tools

NX

Job description

Company Overview:

At Relativity Space, we have two audacious goals: to build the next great commercial launch company with Terran R and to become America's leading force in additive manufacturing innovation. Both contribute to our long-term vision of creating humanity’s industrial base on Mars, paving the way for interplanetary life to expand the possibilities of the human experience. This journey begins right here on Earth – where we design, build, and fly rockets to deliver customer payloads to orbit. Terran R, our medium-to-heavy lift reusable rocket, fulfills the growing demand for launch capacity, thanks to our iterative approach that accelerates design, testing, and development while minimizing costs. While our groundbreaking research and development in 3D printing pushes the boundaries of large-scale additive manufacturing.

Your journey with us is more than just a job – it’s an opportunity to shape the future of aerospace technology, additive manufacturing, and the human experience alongside a community of passionate, creative individuals. Join us on this extraordinary journey, as we work together to transform our vision into reality.

About the Team:

The Manufacturing team at Relativity Space is currently deep in manufacturing trades and process development for Terran R, our next generation, fully re-useable rocket. This team has a wide variety of responsibilities—from determining the most efficient factory floor layout, to developing and implementing complex tooling and processes, and even interfacing with the vehicle engineering team to heavily influence the design of the rocket. Unique to Relativity, you will get to work across many teams to iterate and support development of the vehicle program.

About the Role:

• Optimize and develop all aspects of the manufacturing process within machining to bring the department into AS9100D compliance
• Work with all engineering teams to develop processes for new designs that leverage the full capability of the technology
• Create and manage manufacturing BOMs, work instructions, and specifications
• Work with new machines from installation through troubleshooting, calibration, and maintenance, while developing standard operating procedures and communicating with machine suppliers to address needs and problems
• Review drawings for manufacturability
• Produce reports, procedures, and manuals to document results to mature development processes for production
• Prepare/Manage document packages for machining/fabrication (e.g. machining layouts, machine programs and equipment setup/operation procedures)
• Design tooling and fixtures required for machining components
• Create & Manage CNC programming code, utilization, and storage
• Recommend, purchase, and coordinate installation of capital equipment and tooling

About You:

• A Bachelors degree is not required to be an engineering specialist
• 7 to 8 Years of progressive and related experience
• 3D & 2D design/drafting skills per ASME Y14.5M (NX preferred)
• Experience interfacing with engineering and manufacturing groups to understand process constraints and provide design inputs for improved manufacturability
• Experience working with subtractive manufacturing and joining techniques for metals
• Experience with GD&T
• Experience performing trade studies using first principles and engineering fundamentals
• Experience with NX

Nice to haves but not required:

• Able to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment
• Highly self-motivated and able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment

Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous vacation policy, an annual L&D stipend and more!

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

The below-range represents Relativity Space’s current good-faith pay scale for this role. Relativity Space reserves the right to modify or update this range at any time.

Compensation is only one part of our entire total rewards package. To see some of the benefits & perks we offer, please visit here: https://px.sequoia.com/relativityspace

Hiring Range:

$130,000—$166,000 USD