Senior Manufacturing Engineer
Rocket Lab
Auckland, NZ2410 NZ Manufacturing Engineering
Posted 1 weeks ago · via Greenhouse
Job Description
<div class="content-intro"><p><strong>ABOUT ROCKET LAB</strong></p>
<p>Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. 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. </p>
<p>Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. </p>
<div style="padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;"><iframe style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1028198769?h=22add6027e&badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479" width="" height=""></iframe></div></div><p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">ABOUT THE ROLE</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Manufacturing Engineering powers Rocket Lab’s factories from concept to full-scale production. We turn early ideas into manufacturable designs, build and optimise the systems that make them real, and constantly push for faster, better, smarter ways to build. We engineer the factories that build the rockets, boosting quality, cutting cost, and accelerating build rate. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">We're seeking experienced </span><span data-contrast="auto">Senior Manufacturing Engineers</span><span data-contrast="auto"> across multiple disciplines to take ownership of complex products, lead problem-solving initiatives, and drive manufacturing excellence.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">THE OPPORTUNITIES:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">We're hiring across four key manufacturing disciplines:</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Assembly & Integration</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> – Mechanical, Assembly, Propulsion, Mechanical Test</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Avionics & Test</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> – Electronics manufacturing, electrical test, debugging systems</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Composites</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> – Advanced materials, resins, ablatives, sandwich structures</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Machining</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> – CNC programming, precision manufacturing, GD&T</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><em><strong><span data-contrast="auto">In your application, please indicate which discipline(s) align with your experience and interests.</span></strong> </em><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">YOU’LL GET TO: </span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Own & Ship:</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Own products in production as the go-to expert </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Drive teams to hit production targets at top quality </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Execute product improvements and design qualifications</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Solve & Fix:</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions on failures </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Disposition non-conformances on flight hardware using engineering judgment and risk assessment </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Bridge production, quality, supply chain, and design engineering for rapid problem-solving</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Build & Improve:</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Create bulletproof production procedures and processes </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Design reliable assemblies and test fixtures </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Develop mission-critical test methods for safety-critical systems</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Champion Lean/Six Sigma continuous improvement</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Lead & Scale:</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Drive design reviews as DFM/DFT expert </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Launch new products and revisions into production </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Plan and execute capital equipment upgrades with business cases </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Implement planning, quality, ERP, and data systems</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Mentor & Deliver:</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Train engineers and production teams </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Break down complex projects and deliver on time </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Establish and execute project plans autonomously </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Maintain product manuals and lessons-learned docs</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">WHAT YOU BRING:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">The Must-Haves:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Engineering degree (Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Chemical, Materials, or related)</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">5+ years manufacturing/production/process engineering in the trenches</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Well-tested debugging complex systems on the factory floor</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">You ship results independently and lead teams to do the same</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">You influence stakeholders, assess risk fast, and implement lasting solutions</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Thrive in high pressure environments – can hustle and built for speed</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Your Specialty (one or more):</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Avionics & Test: </span></strong><span data-contrast="auto">Expert-level debugging of electro-mechanical systems, instrumentation (oscilloscopes, power supplies, sensors, serial devices)</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Composites: </span></strong><span data-contrast="auto">Deep knowledge of resins, ablatives, sandwich structures, tooling, and manufacturing processes</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Machining: </span></strong><span data-contrast="auto">Advanced GD&T, inspection methods, CAM software (3/5-axis CNC), 3+ years shop experience</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Assembly & Integration: </span></strong><span data-contrast="auto">Led mechanical assembly, integration, propulsion, or mechanical test operations</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Extra Edge:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Aerospace/defence/high-reliability manufacturing background</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Lean/Six Sigma certified</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">ERP/PLM systems (Siemens TeamCenter, Infor LN)</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">DFMEA, PFMEA, Fault Tree, root cause/corrective action expert</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">SPC, capacity modelling, value stream mapping</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Environmental testing (vibe, shock, thermal, vacuum)</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Mentored or led engineers</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">You own it. Problems become solutions. Documentation gets done. Projects ship on time. You communicate clearly, lead when needed, support teammates always, and show up ready to build the future.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">We take delivery incredibly seriously. Failure is not in our DNA. The work is hard, demanding, and not for the faint-hearted.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">You don't go to Mars working eight to five, Monday to Friday. If you're a high performer, hungry for work with genuine impact where your engineering excellence directly shapes space exploration, national security, and critical infrastructure, you've found your place. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">In return, you'll solve problems that actually matter alongside experts who run toward challenges, not away from them.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">If this resonates with you, apply today!</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p><div class="content-conclusion"><p> </p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">WHAT TO EXPECT</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">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. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<p>Important information:</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:</strong></span></p>
<p><em>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 <a href="https://urldefense.us/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.pmddtc.state.gov_-3Fid-3Dddtc-5Fkb-5Farticle-5Fpage-26sys-5Fid-3D24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987&d=DwMFog&c=N_fLK0KxmM34zjMadXHMx_SQYmXWO3FX0MRVr1hBcn4&r=prjnch9sxomG2ahCicblmM3m-FuPObepspoR1qvWq2I&m=ExC44mBPk2emo4Fr0xPSGZN0UraQ1ZtkDTxwR7iWw5rixcFQb-Wjlv7lJcecLldz&s=0lfm4LyRtFwK220WHBK11DGHWSVvVhQEcfa5G_2Nf18&e=">here</a>.</em></p>
<p><em>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.</em></p>
<p><em>Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at <a href="mailto:g.biow@rocketlabusa.com">g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.</a>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.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:</strong></span></p>
<p><em>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. </em></p>
<p><em>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 <a class="fui-Link ___m14voj0 f3rmtva f1ern45e f1deefiw f1n71otn f1q5o8ev f1h8hb77 f1vxd6vx f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f9n3di6 f1ids18y fygtlnl f1deo86v f12x56k7 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f50u1b5 fs3pq8b f1hghxdh f1tymzes f1x7u7e9 f1cmlufx f10aw75t fsle3fq" href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/01/23/2020-00574/international-traffic-in-arms-regulations-us-munitions-list-categories-i-ii-and-iii" target="_blank">ITAR Regulations.</a></em></p>
<p> </p></div>