Equipment Engineer, Lead

Equipment Engineer, Lead

Based out of Rocket Lab’s site in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Equipment Engineer, Lead will take ownership of coordinating with Facilities and Equipment Services to create installation project summaries and operational work instructions for all assigned new equipment.

• Equipment engineers are responsible for the full lifecycle of machinery and equipment, including design, installation, maintenance, and performance optimization
• Design and develop equipment systems and components tailored to industrial or manufacturing requirements
• Prepare detailed technical specifications, engineering drawings, and schematics for manufacturing and assembly
• Oversee the installation, testing, and commissioning of equipment to ensure proper functionality
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues, implement corrective actions, and perform preventive maintenance
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including operations, maintenance, and vendors, to ensure equipment meets safety and performance standards.
• Monitor equipment performance, conduct evaluations, and implement upgrades to optimize efficiency
• Create technician training documents for SOP’s

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years of experience in the semiconductor industry
• 5+ years of experience in a production or other highly regulated manufacturing environment
• 5+ years of experience in facilities and equipment engineering

• Takes initiative and works independently
• Remains calm under pressure and communicates effectively
• Demonstrated success in planning, directing, and implementing complex projects on time, within budget, and with desired functionality
• Ability to maintain a broad focus while paying attention to detail and managing multiple tasks simultaneously
• Proven ability to work effectively with all levels of the organization, including staff, business stakeholders, and management
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present to an executive audience
• Excellent conflict resolution, negotiation, and influencing skills
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic, and ambiguous environments
• Proven experience with project management methodologies
• Highly organized and detail oriented

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.

Learn more about ITAR here.

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.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at  This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations,  ITAR Regulations.