Production Engineer

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space - our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions

As a Production Engineer based at Rocket Lab’s site in Albuquerque, New Mexico, you will be part of a team responsible for process improvements, yield and day to day sustaining work in the solar cell (III-V semiconductors) and silicon-based production processes. In this role you will take ownership of Photolithography systems (Coat/Expose/Develop) and the associated metrology. To be successful in this role, you must be data driven and possess a high degree of area ownership.

You will need to be able to build solid relationships across all levels of the company, this includes operators on the production floor, equipment maintenance personnel, and R&D engineers. In this role you will join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

• Support sustaining activities to maximize yield and productivity of fab operation across work centers in the litho area
• Work with Operations/Equipment Maintenance/Process Technician/R&D Teams to maximize project success
• Own Photolithography process modules: responding to defect issues (with periodic/frequent yield reporting), writing clear work instructions, oversee operator training
• Plan and perform experiments to improve safety/yield/reliability/throughput. Includes assisting R&D when new products or experiments are needed
• Scoping and procurement of new equipment and process approaches for new products and manufacturing expansion

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering field

• Experience with Photolithography systems and associated metrology
• Breadth of wafer fab (III-V and/or Si) knowledge
• Solid understanding of statistical methods with a working knowledge of JMP and SQL
• Experience with Photolithography processing modules, including metal lift-off, and photochemical interactions with wet and dry etch
• Understanding of solar cell device physics and testing methods
• Solid understanding of metallurgy and material science
• Familiarity with quality/manufacturing methods such as SPC, OCAP, 8D problem solving techniques, FMEA, RCCA etc.

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small.

We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always…