Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Propulsion

$115,000 - $135,000/Yr

Rocket Lab USA - Long Beach, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Long Beach, CA

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Propulsion at Rocket Lab is responsible for the machining development of new products and revisions related to the Rutherford and Archimedes engines. This role involves supporting the Director of Manufacturing Engineering and Production organization, contributing to design reviews, and implementing continuous improvement projects to enhance quality and cost performance in the fabrication department.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to design reviews acting as an expert in design for manufacture, design for machining, productivity, quality control, etc.
• Select, procure, and install machine shop equipment along with developing maintenance/calibration plans.
• Develop machining capability in-house for the Archimedes components and implement rapid iterations.
• Design, develop, and implement tooling and equipment for use in a production environment to improve quality, delivery, and cost performance.
• Responsible for continuous improvement and cost reduction projects belonging to the fabrication department.
• Collaborate with other Rocket Lab machine shops for general alignment, capability, and support.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering
• 8+ years of experience with large composite, sheet metal, welded and/or fabricated assemblies
• Knowledge of large structural welding and processes (such as GTAW, LBW)
• Experience with machining and fabrication.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with design, testing and development in welded structures
• Experience contributing to and steering design reviews and providing technical expertise in support of design for manufacture, test, and assembly
• Well versed in GD&T and inspection methods
• Working experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, Lean/Six Sigma and value stream mapping
• Experience with 3D CAD software and tooling design.

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, childcare concierge, and other discounts.