Supplier Quality Engineer Trainee

Supplier Quality Engineer Trainee at Rocket Lab’s Long Beach, California site.

Participate in a structured development program focused on building foundational skills in supplier quality, manufacturing processes, and engineering support. This role provides hands‑on exposure to supplier assessments, quality systems, and production operations within the aerospace industry.

• Support supplier quality activities including incoming inspection, supplier performance tracking, and documentation reviews.
• Assist in evaluating supplier processes, identifying risks, and helping drive corrective actions under guidance.
• Learn how to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and quality requirements for supplied components.
• Participate in root‑cause analysis and problem‑solving activities related to supplier‑related nonconformances.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering) to ensure supplier readiness and compliance.
• Attend regular 1:1 sessions with mentors and supervisors to track progress and support development.
• Gain exposure to quality tools, aerospace standards, and supplier management processes.

• Strong interest in supplier quality, manufacturing, engineering, or related technical fields.
• Ability to analyze information, follow structured processes, and document findings clearly.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated experience through hands‑on projects, technical coursework, or exposure to engineering concepts.

• Familiarity with engineering drawings or GD&T.
• Exposure to quality tools such as root‑cause analysis, corrective actions, or Six Sigma.
• Experience with Solid Works or similar engineering tools.
• Prior project or laboratory experience involving mechanical, manufacturing, or quality concepts.

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 40%, domestically and internationally, sometimes on short notice.
• Must be able to comply with all site‑specific safety and operational requirements.
• Position may require occasional local travel to supplier locations, scheduled to accommodate part‑time working hours.

• Pay Range (CA): $28.00 USD Hourly.
• Part‑time, fixed‑term contract role; compensation paid hourly for all hours worked.

For U.S. office candidates only: To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or otherwise eligible to obtain required authorizations.

For New Zealand office candidates only: Candidates must be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by U.S. ITAR, typically requiring citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO‑member nation, or otherwise meet the specified nationality requirements.

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.