Manufacturing Engineer II/Senior - Electron Propulsion

 

MANUFACTURING  

Rocket Lab’s Manufacturing teams are the builders and the doers who work with our advanced machinery across our global manufacturing sites to get our satellites, satellite components, and rockets out the door. They bring the designs of our engineers to life by using advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing to create our hardware, and are responsible for delivering our projects and missions on time and on budget to our customers.   

MANUFACTURING ENGINEER II / SENIOR – ELECTRON PROPULSION  

Based out of Rocket Lab's Engine Development Center in Long Beach, CA the Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for overseeing process improvements and product revisions as related to the Rutherford rocket engine. You will support the Director of Manufacturing Engineering and Production organization, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors and investors.   

(Please Note: this position can be hired onto as a Manufacturing Engineer II or Senior Manufacturing Engineer level)

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO: 

• 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.  

• 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.  

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A MANUFACTURING ENGINEER II:  

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace or similar engineering discipline  

• 2+ years of professional engineering experience in a highly regulated manufacturing environment  

• Understanding of fluid and structural mechanics fundamentals  
• Knowledge in manufacturing processes for aerospace materials 

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR MANUFACTURING ENGINEER:  

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace or similar engineering discipline  

• 5+ years of professional engineering experience in a highly regulated manufacturing environment  

• Understanding of fluid and structural mechanics fundamentals  
• Knowledge in manufacturing processes for aerospace materials 

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:  

• Master’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, aerospace or similar engineering discipline  

• 8+ years of manufacturing engineering experience preferably with fluid components during assembly, functional checkouts or qualification testing 

• 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  

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:  

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.   

• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing 

• Must be physically able to commute to buildings  

• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise 

• Availability to work long hours and weekends as needed based on test and launch schedules