Senior Manufacturing Engineer II - Machining

Senior Manufacturing Engineer II - Machining

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.

Rocket Lab’s Manufacturing teams are the builders and the doers who work with our advanced machinery across our global manufacturing sites to get our satellites, satellite components, and rockets out the door. They bring the designs of our engineers to life by using advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing to create our hardware, and are responsible for delivering our projects and missions on time and on budget to our customers.

We are currently seeking an experience Manufacturing Engineer with a focus in Machining based out of Rocket Lab's Headquarters in Long Beach, CA. They will be responsible for the machining development of new products and product revisions as related to the Rutherford engine (currently in use on the 2nd most frequently launched US rocket), and the Archimedes engine where they will have an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a novel rocket engine build!

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 where appropriate to improve quality, delivery and/or 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.

Develop and mentor less experienced engineers and machinist daily.

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing engineering, or equivalent.

8+ years of machine shop experience.

Experience in CAM software 3 and 5-axis CNC equipment.

Well versed in GD&T and inspection methods.

12+ years of experience will be considered in lieu of a degree

Working experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, Lean/Six Sigma and value stream mapping.

10+ years of machine shop experience.

Experience with 3D CAD software and tooling design.

Experience machining turbo machinery and combustion device components.

Familiarity with post processing methods, AM and welding.

NX CAM programming and operating 5-axis CNC machining.

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 on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

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…