Rocket Lab · 4 days ago
Lead Manufacturing Engineer - Electron Propulsion
Long Beach, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$115K/yr - $155K/yr
5+ years expRocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services and spacecraft design and manufacturing. The Lead Manufacturing Engineer - Electron Propulsion is responsible for overseeing process improvements and product revisions related to the Rutherford rocket engine, supporting the Director of Manufacturing Engineering and Production organization.
AerospaceManufacturingSoftwareSpace Travel
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Contribute to design reviews acting as an expert in design for manufacture, design for test, productivity, supplier capability assessments, quality control, etc
Perform initial Value Stream Mapping Exercises, Method of Manufacture plans, cell design, etc
Implement Factory layouts, Equipment selection, FAT, SAT, and production commissioning
Develop production processes and ensure they are accurately and clearly documented, including testing procedures, health and safety requirements and supervisor signoffs
Interface with the quality team to resolve manufacturing engineering quality responsibilities, and when required, lead problem containment and structured root cause & corrective action investigations
Design, develop, and implement tooling and equipment for use in a production environment where appropriate to improve quality, delivery and/or cost performance
Lead the continuous improvement process in your area using lean tools and techniques such as 5S
Introduce automation where appropriate and ensure equipment data links directly to MRP and quality systems
Lead a team of manufacturing engineers through production initiatives
Qualification
Required
Bachelor Degree in Engineering (Preferably, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace)
5+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment
Understanding of fluid and structural mechanics fundamentals
Knowledge in manufacturing processes for aerospace materials
Experience in a leadership position
Preferred
Advanced engineering degree (Preferably, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace)
Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes common to fluid components
Experience with assembly & testing of turbomachinery and combustion devices
Experience with designing, implementing, and supporting a production line and/or build area
Experience with manufacturing processes, including but not limited to TIG, EB and laser welding, heat treating, metal forming, additive manufacturing, CNC machining and precision cleaning
Experience transitioning products from design to production as a part of cross-functional team in a fast-paced, iterative design environment
Experience performing root cause and corrective action projects and PFMEA / DFMEA of manufacturing processes and products
Benefits
Top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option
Dental and vision coverage
3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year
11 paid holidays per year
Flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts
Paid parental leave
Disability insurance
Life insurance
Access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match
Discounted employee stock purchase program
Subsidized EV charging stations
Onsite gym
Food and drinks
Other discounts
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
2026-01-23
2026-01-23
Company data provided by crunchbase