Senior Production Engineer

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services and building spacecraft and satellite components that enable scientific exploration, Earth observation and national‑security missions. The Space Systems team designs and builds everything from complete spacecraft to high‑performance payloads and subsystems.

Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Senior Production Engineer will lead process improvements and day‑to‑day sustaining work in the III‑V semiconductor and silicon‑based solar cell production lines. Key responsibilities include owning the Photolithography system, developing process modules, driving yield and productivity, and collaborating with operations, equipment maintenance, process technicians, and R&D.

• Support sustaining activities to maximize yield and productivity across lithography work centers.
• Collaborate with Operations, Equipment Maintenance, Process Technicians, and R&D teams to achieve project success.
• Own Photolithography process modules: respond to defect issues, create clear work instructions, oversee operator training.
• Plan and perform experiments to improve safety, yield, reliability, and throughput; assist R&D with new product development.
• Scope and procure new equipment and process approaches for manufacturing expansion.

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field.
• 5+ years of experience in a production or highly regulated manufacturing environment.

• Experience with Photolithography systems and metrology.
• Broad wafer fab knowledge (III‑V and/or silicon).
• Statistical analysis skills with JMP and SQL.
• Knowledge of solar‑cell physics, device testing, and metallurgy/material science.
• Familiarity with quality methods such as SPC, OCAP, 8‑D, FMEA, and RCCA.

• Vision requirements: close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception; ability to focus.
• Physical ability to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to commute to Albuquerque office.
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, and moderate noise levels.

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. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.