Rocket Lab USA Inc.
Quality Engineer II Silver Spring, MD
Rocket Lab USA Inc., Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, 20900
Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services, space‑craft design and manufacturing, satellite payloads, and more. Our Electron rockets have become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket and we are developing Neutron, a medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployments.
SPACE SYSTEMS The Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft to precision payloads and subsystems such as solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical and separation systems, and radios. We support more than 1,700 missions, including NASA, Space Development Agency, and U.S. Space Force projects to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
QUALITY ENGINEER II Based in Silver Spring, Maryland, the Quality Engineer II develops and implements methods to track and reduce manufacturing non‑conformances and improve flight reliability for satellite mechanisms such as separation systems and electro‑mechanical deployables.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO
Manage PSC‑RL’s quality management process and ensure alignment with industry standards.
Oversee non‑conformance tracking, evaluation systems, and root‑cause determination for space flight mechanisms.
Develop and implement KPIs to continually evaluate product risk during manufacturing and flight.
Work closely with program management, design, manufacturing, and production teams to improve product reliability.
Track and reduce RPNs and time to resolution for non‑conformances.
Lead root‑cause investigations using tools such as 5 Whys, Cause and Effect analysis, and 8‑Ds.
Develop employee quality training standards.
Improve quality tracking transparency via dashboards or similar methods.
Support customer quality audits and contract quality clause reviews.
Interface with procurement quality team to enhance quality standards across the product lifecycle.
Travel to other Rocket Lab facilities, suppliers, conferences, and customers as needed.
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field.
2+ years’ experience as a quality engineer.
Knowledge of AS9100 and ISO9001 quality management systems.
Experience with non‑conformance investigations, RPN evaluation, and root‑cause determination.
Experience implementing and evaluating quality‑related KPIs.
Capacity to comply with U.S. export control laws.
THESE QUALIFICATIONS ARE NICE TO HAVE
Master’s degree or 4+ years’ experience as a quality engineer.
Experience with aerospace industry, Tulip MES, Siemens Teamcenter PLM, or Infor LN ERP.
Certification in quality engineering (e.g., CQE, Six Sigma Bronze/Black Belt).
Experience with statistical process controls.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Vision requirements: close, distance, peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus.
Regular use of hands and fingers, operating a computer, and verbal/written communication.
Standing for prolonged periods and commuting to the building.
Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, and moderate noise.
BASE PAY RANGE (MD ONLY) $75,000 – $95,000 USD
WHAT TO EXPECT We are on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth. Collaboration, grit, and relentless innovation are core to our culture. We thrive under pressure, meeting tight deadlines and delivering results without dwelling on obstacles.
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or otherwise eligible under ITAR. Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY Background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offer. Applicants must be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by U.S. ITAR, requiring citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the EU, or a NATO country, and no ineligible dual citizenship.
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. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.
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SPACE SYSTEMS The Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft to precision payloads and subsystems such as solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical and separation systems, and radios. We support more than 1,700 missions, including NASA, Space Development Agency, and U.S. Space Force projects to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
QUALITY ENGINEER II Based in Silver Spring, Maryland, the Quality Engineer II develops and implements methods to track and reduce manufacturing non‑conformances and improve flight reliability for satellite mechanisms such as separation systems and electro‑mechanical deployables.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO
Manage PSC‑RL’s quality management process and ensure alignment with industry standards.
Oversee non‑conformance tracking, evaluation systems, and root‑cause determination for space flight mechanisms.
Develop and implement KPIs to continually evaluate product risk during manufacturing and flight.
Work closely with program management, design, manufacturing, and production teams to improve product reliability.
Track and reduce RPNs and time to resolution for non‑conformances.
Lead root‑cause investigations using tools such as 5 Whys, Cause and Effect analysis, and 8‑Ds.
Develop employee quality training standards.
Improve quality tracking transparency via dashboards or similar methods.
Support customer quality audits and contract quality clause reviews.
Interface with procurement quality team to enhance quality standards across the product lifecycle.
Travel to other Rocket Lab facilities, suppliers, conferences, and customers as needed.
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field.
2+ years’ experience as a quality engineer.
Knowledge of AS9100 and ISO9001 quality management systems.
Experience with non‑conformance investigations, RPN evaluation, and root‑cause determination.
Experience implementing and evaluating quality‑related KPIs.
Capacity to comply with U.S. export control laws.
THESE QUALIFICATIONS ARE NICE TO HAVE
Master’s degree or 4+ years’ experience as a quality engineer.
Experience with aerospace industry, Tulip MES, Siemens Teamcenter PLM, or Infor LN ERP.
Certification in quality engineering (e.g., CQE, Six Sigma Bronze/Black Belt).
Experience with statistical process controls.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Vision requirements: close, distance, peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus.
Regular use of hands and fingers, operating a computer, and verbal/written communication.
Standing for prolonged periods and commuting to the building.
Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, and moderate noise.
BASE PAY RANGE (MD ONLY) $75,000 – $95,000 USD
WHAT TO EXPECT We are on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth. Collaboration, grit, and relentless innovation are core to our culture. We thrive under pressure, meeting tight deadlines and delivering results without dwelling on obstacles.
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or otherwise eligible under ITAR. Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY Background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offer. Applicants must be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by U.S. ITAR, requiring citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the EU, or a NATO country, and no ineligible dual citizenship.
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. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.
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