Manager, Neutron Vehicle Integration

Rocket Lab USA

Full-time - Manager

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

As the Manager of the Neutron Vehicle Integration team at Rocket Lab, you will play a pivotal role in the development and execution of integration, test, and launch processes for the Neutron Launch Vehicle. This position is based at our LC3 facility in Wallops Island, Virginia, where you will lead a skilled group of engineers in ensuring that all integration activities are streamlined and efficient. Your primary responsibility will be to oversee the integration flow planning, ensuring that all stages of the integration, testing, and launch processes are executed flawlessly. You will be tasked with managing the receipt of test and flight hardware, and you will need to work quickly and effectively to resolve any issues that arise during these critical phases. In this role, you will develop and execute a strategic plan that encompasses the integration of the 1st and 2nd stage vehicle, propellant systems, avionics, and AFTS. You will provide hands-on support to the integration team, addressing any challenges that may occur on the integration floor and driving innovation in our processes. Your responsibilities will also include refining inspection, repair, retrofit, assembly, and system test procedures based on lessons learned from previous missions. You will design a high-level vehicle maintenance architecture that maximizes efficiency in build flow and test operations, and you will manage the documentation of non-conformances, turning them into actionable items for system improvements. As a leader, you will maintain integrated planning documents that reflect the configurations and work scope of the Launch Vehicle, and you will design and develop tools and hardware necessary for vehicle processing and testing. Your ability to manage multiple priorities while keeping a focus on project goals will be essential to your success in this fast-paced environment. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a high-performing team that is pushing the boundaries of space technology and contributing to the future of space exploration.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a strategic plan for the integration, test and launch of Neutron Launch Vehicle flight hardware.
• Oversee the day-to-day execution of the 1st and 2nd stage vehicle integration, propellant system, avionics, and AFTS.
• Provide hands-on support to the integration floor and integration team, promptly addressing any issues and driving innovation.
• Develop and refine inspection, repair/retrofit, assembly and system test procedures based on lessons learned.
• Design high-level vehicle maintenance architecture including build flow and test operations for maximum efficiency.
• Develop and run vehicle system level checkouts for initial and flown launch vehicle components.
• Manage work procedures and documentation of non-conformances into actionable items and system improvements.
• Maintain integrated planning documents that are inclusive of Launch Vehicle configurations and work scope.
• Design and develop tools and hardware to enable vehicle processing and ensure required testing abilities.
• Manage and track multiple priorities while maintaining a focus towards common project goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace, mechanical, manufacturing engineering, or equivalent.
• 8+ years of experience in overseeing the building and testing of hardware associated with a launch vehicle and its environments.
• Demonstrated proficiency in authoring comprehensive work instructions and procedures for assembly, test, and launch.
• Proven ability to interface with multidisciplinary functions of mechanical, electrical, and fluid systems.
• Demonstrated experience of Project Management principles in previous job experience(s).
• 3+ years of experience building, managing, and developing an engineering team.

Nice-to-haves

• Master of Science degree in aerospace, mechanical, or manufacturing or equivalent.
• Experience and demonstrated proficiency in developing and utilizing comprehensive work instructions and test procedures.
• Experience working directly with launch vehicle and/or launch vehicle hardware and subsystems including, avionics, high pressure gas, structures, electrical, and mechanical.
• Experience working on build, test of complex assemblies at the system and sub-system level.