Senior Manager, Quality

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation, climate‑change mitigation, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, while we develop Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellations. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and components, including spacecraft selected for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Based at Rocket Lab’s site in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Manager, Quality will lead the future of quality, pushing a quality culture, developing high‑performing teams, and building scalable, impactful systems from the ground up.

• Manage and grow a team of Quality Engineers, developing capability, accountability, and a proactive mindset across the group.
• Champion a shift from reactive to proactive quality management and foster strong cross‑functional engagement to embed quality in every process and decision.
• Define quality standards for incoming materials, manage supplier audits, and ensure performance across the external supply chain.
• Lead the Material Review Board to ensure effective disposition of non‑conforming materials and identify opportunities for scrap reduction and root‑cause resolution.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and problem‑solving tools to drive continuous improvement, eliminate process variation, and reduce defects across production.
• Oversee documentation control, conduct product and process audits, and ensure rigorous standards are applied consistently.
• Own key KPIs, reporting on quality metrics, progress, and initiatives to site leadership and global stakeholders.
• Support and maintain Rocket Lab’s QMS, ensuring adherence to AS9100 standards and alignment with global procedures; oversee certification processes and regulatory compliance across manufacturing and operations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or related discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemistry, etc.)
• 10+ years in a quality role within a high‑complexity manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years of team leadership or management experience.
• Experience in aerospace, automotive, or regulated manufacturing sectors.
• Exposure to supplier quality, compliance audits, and technical product documentation.
• Ability to influence, build relationships, and gain buy‑in across global teams.
• Proficiency in quality systems and methodologies (AS9100, ISO, Lean, Six Sigma).

• Strong leader from a complex manufacturing environment (aerospace, automotive, or similar).
• Comfortable working across levels—from shop floor to senior leadership.
• Driven, practical, and decisive—able to make sound judgments even with limited data.
• Confident managing engineers and quality professionals in a cross‑functional setting.

• Vision abilities required: close, distance, peripheral, depth perception; focus ability.
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings.
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise.
• Availability to work long hours and weekends as needed based on test and launch schedules.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)

$142,500 – $190,000 USD

What to Expect

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth. This requires 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 respect each other, check our egos at the door, and roll up our sleeves…