Manufacturing Engineer II - Space Systems

About the role

As a Manufacturing Engineer II - Space Systems , you will play a pivotal role in developing and optimizing manufacturing processes for Rocket Lab's launch vehicles and spacecraft. You'll collaborate with engineers, technicians, and subject matter experts across departments to ensure best-in-class manufacturing practices and the achievement of production targets. You will be responsible for designing and implementing tooling, troubleshooting production issues, and driving root cause analysis and corrective actions. You'll also support New Product Introduction (NPI) by developing and validating new processes, ensuring seamless integration into production. This role is key to driving continuous improvement initiatives and maintaining technical documentation to meet departmental KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and document manufacturing processes and workflows.
• Design and implement production tooling and fixtures.
• Troubleshoot and resolve production stoppages and non-conformances.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Support NPI through process development, prototyping, and integration.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve production goals.
• Create and maintain technical documentation to support manufacturing operations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to meet or exceed KPIs.
• Facilitate the production of current and future Rocket Lab vehicles.
• Develop and optimize production and test operations using standard manufacturing best practices (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
• Create FMEAs and action plans to mitigate risk within current processes.
• Design robust, faultless processes and create RFQs for equipment/tooling requirements.
• Implement process automation where possible.
• Deliver right-first-time project implementation, communicating milestones and risks.
• Support continuous improvement and lessons-learned activities.
• Become an SME for PLM and ERP systems (Team Center, Infor LN, Flame).
• Provide onsite production and test support, including DFM approval and feedback.
• Train production staff on current and future manufacturing processes.
• Ensure health and safety policies and procedures are followed at all times.

Requirements

• Essential:
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, or Mechatronics Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years' experience as a Manufacturing, Production, or Process Engineer.
• Hands-on technical experience debugging complex electro-mechanical systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong communicator with proven ability to deliver clear and concise KPIs.
• Can-do approach and flexibility to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Experience delivering major CapEx projects.
• Desirable:
• Experience with Siemens Team Center and/or Infor LN.
• Knowledge of production quality metrics.
• Experience transitioning products from prototype to production.
• Technical knowledge and ability to propose solutions to engineering challenges.
• Experience with avionics and electrical systems, including current and voltage measurement.
• Basic software development knowledg

Benefits

Additional Information

ABOUT ROCKET LAB 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. 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. While other companies talk about it, we do it! ELECTRON Rocket Lab's Electron team is responsible for building, testing, and launching our Electron rocket across our launch sites and test facilities in the United States and New Zealand. Electron is one of the world's most frequently-launched rockets, and our team behind its success are diligent, move fast, and have each others' back to deliver a reliable rocket to the launch pad time and time again. About Rocket Lab Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems. Our mission is to open access to space to improve life on Earth. We design, manufacture, and launch advanced rockets and spacecraft, enabling innovation for commercial, civil, defense, and academic customers worldwide.

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