Supplier Quality Engineer (I, II, Senior I, Senior II) - Harnessing

Rocket Lab USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 229,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer (I, II, Senior I, Senior II) - Harnessing to ensure quality of procured parts and processes across design, manufacturing, and suppliers.

You will translate technical requirements into clear specifications, drive supplier improvements, manage PPAP activities, and oversee supplier quality metrics while collaborating across purchasing, engineering, and production teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in a regulated industry: Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, or similar.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or Mechatronic Engineering.
• IPC/WHMA-A-620, Class 3 and Space Addendum knowledge (certified preferred).
• Experience with harnessing and cable manufacturing.
• Experience working with suppliers or in a supplier quality role.

Responsibilities

• Strategically source and onboard suppliers by assessing capabilities, processes, and quality systems.
• Develop and implement supplier technical requirements and process controls.
• Oversee PPAP and ensure supplier qualification activities meet industry standards.
• Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends and drive improvements.
• Provide feedback to suppliers to optimize manufacturing methods and reduce costs.
• Lead supplier root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Own supplier SPC, yield improvement, and tool qualification.
• Lead projects and present findings to internal teams and suppliers.

Skills

Regulated industry experience

Supplier liaison

Quality improvement

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation and reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Mechatronic Engineering, or equivalent

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Power BI

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.

SUPPLIER QUALITY ENGINEER (I, II, Senior I, Senior II) - HARNESSING

Based out of Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA, theSupplier Quality Engineer (I, II, Senior I, Senior II) - Harnessing role is responsible for ensuring quality requirements for procured parts, services, and processes are achieved. Working as a liaison between internal design/manufacturing stakeholders and suppliers, you translate technical requirements into clear specifications, drive supplier improvement, and manage the competing priorities between customers and suppliers.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO

• Strategically source and onboard suppliers by assessing capabilities, manufacturing processes, and quality systems.
• Develop and implement supplier technical requirements, quality flow downs, and process controls to meet hardware manufacturing needs.
• Oversee and monitor the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) and ensure supplier qualification and reliability activities meet industry standards.
• Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends, drive improvement plans, and recommend technical product enhancements to reduce risk and defects.
• Provide feedback to suppliers to optimize manufacturing methods, reduce costs and cycle times, and increase yields.
• Serve as liaison between purchasing, engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to resolve quality issues and provide technical support.
• Lead supplier root cause analysis and corrective actions for quality gaps, escapes, or containments.
• Act as internal owner for supplier SPC, yield improvement, new tool/process qualification, and overall supplier performance in quality, efficiency, and cost.
• Lead projects and present findings to internal teams, management, and suppliers.

QUALIFICATIONS YOU'LL BRING AS A SUPPLIER QUALITY ENGINEER I - HARNESSING

• Experience in a regulated industry: Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, or similar.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Mechatronic Engineering, or equivalent.
• Knowledgeable on IPC/WHMA-A-620, Class 3 and Space Addendum (preferably certified)
• Experience with harnessing and cable manufacturing (including school projects, clubs, or internships)
• Experience working with suppliers or in a supplier quality role (preferred).

QUALIFICATIONS YOU'LL BRING AS A SUPPLIER QUALITY ENGINEER II - HARNESSING

• Minimum 2 years' experience in a regulated industry: Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, or similar.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Mechatronic Engineering, or equivalent.
• Knowledgeable on IPC/WHMA-A-620, Class 3 and Space Addendum (preferably certified)
• Experience with harnessing and cable manufacturing (including school projects, clubs, or internships)
• Experience working with suppliers or in a supplier quality role (preferred).

QUALIFICATIONS YOU'LL BRING AS A SENIOR SUPPLIER QUALITY ENGINEER I - HARNESSING

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a regulated industry: Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, or similar.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Mechatronic Engineering, or equivalent.
• Knowledgeable on IPC/WHMA-A-620, Class 3 and Space Addendum (preferably certified)
• Experience with harnessing and cable manufacturing (including school projects, clubs, or internships)
• Experience working with suppliers or in a supplier quality role (preferred).

QUALIFICATIONS YOU'LL BRING AS A SENIOR SUPPLIER QUALITY ENGINEER II - HARNESSING

• Minimum 8 years' experience in a regulated industry: Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, or similar.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Mechatronic Engineering, or equivalent.
• Knowledgeable on IPC/WHMA-A-620, Class 3 and Space Addendum (preferably certified)
• Experience with harnessing and cable manufacturing (including school projects, clubs, or internships)
• Experience working with suppliers or in a supplier quality role (preferred).

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE

• Structured problem-solving experience using 8D, A3, or equivalent RCA methodology.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality management systems; exposure to NADCAP special process requirements a plus.
• Knowledge of statistical quality methods: SPC, process capability (Cp/Cpk), MSA/Gage R&R; Six Sigma or Lean a plus.
• Experience with PPAP and related elements: APQP, PFD, PFMEA, Control Plan, FAIR.
• Proficiency with MRP/ERP systems; familiarity with Jira, Confluence, and Power BI a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to share information and influence across organizational lines.

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.

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) $75,000 — $228,500 USD

Base Salary $70,000 — $171,600 USD

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] 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.