Supplier Quality Engineer Trainee

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company that delivers responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, and satellite components. Our rockets and satellites enable advanced scientific exploration, Earth observation, climate‑change missions, national security operations, and technology demonstrations.

The Supply Chain team manages the flow of all materials, products, and components. The team sets up assembly kits for Electron rockets, manages inventory and shipping, handles direct and indirect procurement, and inspects compliance with quality standards.

As a Supplier Quality Engineer Trainee in Long Beach, California, you will participate in a structured development program focused on supplier quality, manufacturing processes, and engineering support. The role provides hands‑on exposure to supplier assessments, quality systems, and aerospace production operations.

• Support supplier quality activities including incoming inspection, supplier performance tracking, and documentation reviews.
• Assist in evaluating supplier processes, identifying risks, and driving 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 Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams 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.
• 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 with hourly compensation for all hours worked.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations. 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.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at  For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers if you intend to work in New Zealand offices.

Under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), eligibility for this role may be restricted to citizens of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO country, or those holding compatible dual citizenship or nationality.