Rocket Lab · 2 weeks ago
Senior AI&T II/Principal Engineering (Production Manager) - Secret Clearance
Tucson, AZ
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
8+ years expRocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services and spacecraft design. They are seeking a Senior AI&T II/Principal Engineering (Production Manager) to lead production execution for complex space hardware, focusing on integration, verification, and hardware readiness.
AerospaceManufacturingSoftwareSpace Travel
No H1B
Security Clearance RequiredU.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Lead day-to-day production operations for complex space hardware, ensuring hardware flows efficiently from build through test while maintaining Rocket Lab’s commitment to fierce efficiency and beautiful execution
Translate program schedules into executable production plans, driving throughput, resolving blockers, and ensuring every build meets quality and delivery commitments
Lead a multidisciplinary production team (technicians, planners, quality, manufacturing engineers) with clarity, urgency, and accountability, we hustle
Implement and refine production processes, tooling strategies, and build documentation to continually improve cycle times, first-pass yield, and hardware consistency
Own production metrics, including schedule performance, labor efficiency, material readiness, and defect trends; execute rapid root-cause and corrective-action processes
Collaborate closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and AIT to ensure alignment across all build stages, we have each other’s back
Coordinate and lead product reviews, audits, cross-functional standups, and readiness events
Drive continuous improvement initiatives, automation, process simplification, layout optimization, to keep the factory ever evolving and performing at the highest level
Support customer milestones, major hardware deliveries, and integration events
Qualification
Required
Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related field
8+ years of production or manufacturing experience in aerospace hardware, high-reliability systems, or equivalent complex assemblies
Demonstrated leadership experience managing production teams or large work cells
Strong understanding of production control, build scheduling, configuration management, and hardware traceability
Proven ability to drive execution, manage bottlenecks, and deliver hardware on schedule
Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related field
12+ years of production or manufacturing experience in aerospace hardware, high-reliability systems, or equivalent complex assemblies
Demonstrated leadership experience managing production teams or large work cells
Strong understanding of production control, build scheduling, configuration management, and hardware traceability
Proven ability to drive execution, manage bottlenecks, and deliver hardware on schedule
Preferred
Experience with Space, DoD, or high-reliability production environments
Knowledge of electro-optical or sensor payload builds
Experience implementing lean manufacturing, 5S, Kanban, or similar process-improvement tools
Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., Costpoint, SAP)
Prior experience in Production Management for complex aerospace hardware
Excellent communication and team-building skills with the ability to motivate high-performing teams
Company
Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an aerospace company that provides launch services, spacecraft design, and manufacturing of satellite components.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$1.98BKey Investors
Canadian Space AgencyU.S. Department of CommerceTrinity Capital
2025-12-09Grant
2025-09-15Post Ipo Equity· $750M
2024-11-25Grant· $23.9M
Leadership Team
Adam Spice
Chief Financial Officer
Frank Klein
Chief Operations Officer
Recent News
2026-01-09
Company data provided by crunchbase