Rocket Lab
Senior Manufacturing Engineer II - Composites
Rocket Lab, Middle River, Maryland, United States, 21220
Senior Manufacturing Engineer II - Composites
Middle River, MD
Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more. Our Electron rocket is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually, and we are developing Neutron, a medium‑lift reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment.
As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Composites you will be based at Rocket Lab’s Space Structures Complex production facility. Your focus will be the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of composite manufacturing technologies and processes used in the production of the Neutron launch vehicle structure.
What You’ll Get to Do
Identify, plan, and execute capital equipment, machine, and layout decisions to meet volume requirements, including preparation of business cases.
Develop production processes and ensure accurate documentation, including testing procedures, health and safety requirements, and supervisor sign‑offs.
Design, develop, and implement tooling and equipment to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
Contribute to facility construction projects, generating requirements, reviewing designs, and supporting implementation.
Act as an expert in design for manufacture, design for test, productivity, supplier capability assessment, and quality control during design reviews.
Oversee introduction and implementation of new products and revisions related to the Neutron composite structure.
Lead problem containment and structured root cause & corrective action investigations.
Quickly analyze and resolve manufacturing discrepancies and non‑conformances.
Introduce appropriate automation and ensure equipment data links directly to MRP and quality systems.
Identify risks and opportunities to advance the manufacturing engineering department and meet company needs.
Develop and mentor less experienced engineers and technicians daily.
You’ll Bring These Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, or another technical degree.
At least 8 years of composite manufacturing experience.
Nice to Have
Experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, Lean/Six Sigma, and value stream mapping.
Experience with 3D CAD software and tooling design.
Experience with Automated Fiber Placement technology.
Experience with both autoclave and out‑of‑autoclave composite manufacturing techniques.
Experience with non‑destructive testing/inspection of composite components.
Experience in qualification and acceptance testing of composite structural components.
Additional Requirements
Specific vision abilities required: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to focus.
Regular use of hands and fingers, computer keyboard, controls, and verbal/written communication.
Physical ability to commute to the buildings.
Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, and moderate noise levels.
Base salary is determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on experience, education, and qualifications. Employees may also receive company equity and a robust benefits package including medical, dental, vision, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
Base Pay Range (MD Only): $120,000 - $160,000 USD.
What to Expect We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth. Our culture values relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others deem impossible. We thrive under tight deadlines, maintain a focus on delivery, and support each other in all tasks.
EEO Statement 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.
ITAR Requirements for U.S. Office Candidates To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab employees must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or otherwise eligible for required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.
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Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more. Our Electron rocket is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually, and we are developing Neutron, a medium‑lift reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment.
As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Composites you will be based at Rocket Lab’s Space Structures Complex production facility. Your focus will be the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of composite manufacturing technologies and processes used in the production of the Neutron launch vehicle structure.
What You’ll Get to Do
Identify, plan, and execute capital equipment, machine, and layout decisions to meet volume requirements, including preparation of business cases.
Develop production processes and ensure accurate documentation, including testing procedures, health and safety requirements, and supervisor sign‑offs.
Design, develop, and implement tooling and equipment to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
Contribute to facility construction projects, generating requirements, reviewing designs, and supporting implementation.
Act as an expert in design for manufacture, design for test, productivity, supplier capability assessment, and quality control during design reviews.
Oversee introduction and implementation of new products and revisions related to the Neutron composite structure.
Lead problem containment and structured root cause & corrective action investigations.
Quickly analyze and resolve manufacturing discrepancies and non‑conformances.
Introduce appropriate automation and ensure equipment data links directly to MRP and quality systems.
Identify risks and opportunities to advance the manufacturing engineering department and meet company needs.
Develop and mentor less experienced engineers and technicians daily.
You’ll Bring These Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, or another technical degree.
At least 8 years of composite manufacturing experience.
Nice to Have
Experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, Lean/Six Sigma, and value stream mapping.
Experience with 3D CAD software and tooling design.
Experience with Automated Fiber Placement technology.
Experience with both autoclave and out‑of‑autoclave composite manufacturing techniques.
Experience with non‑destructive testing/inspection of composite components.
Experience in qualification and acceptance testing of composite structural components.
Additional Requirements
Specific vision abilities required: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to focus.
Regular use of hands and fingers, computer keyboard, controls, and verbal/written communication.
Physical ability to commute to the buildings.
Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, and moderate noise levels.
Base salary is determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on experience, education, and qualifications. Employees may also receive company equity and a robust benefits package including medical, dental, vision, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
Base Pay Range (MD Only): $120,000 - $160,000 USD.
What to Expect We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth. Our culture values relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others deem impossible. We thrive under tight deadlines, maintain a focus on delivery, and support each other in all tasks.
EEO Statement 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.
ITAR Requirements for U.S. Office Candidates To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab employees must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or otherwise eligible for required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.
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