Senior Manufacturing Engineer I​/II – Assembly, Integration and Test

Senior Manufacturing Engineer I/II – Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT)

Senior Manufacturing Engineer I/II – Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT) (this position may be hired as either Level I or Level II).

As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer I/II specializing in Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT), you will play a critical role in ensuring the successful production, assembly, and testing of Rocket Lab’s cutting‑edge spacecraft.

This role requires a deep understanding of manufacturing engineering principles, hands‑on experience with complex systems, and a passion for solving challenging technical problems. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including design, production, quality, and test engineering, to ensure the delivery of high‑quality products on time and within budget.

• Prepare feasibility studies, conduct manufacturing technology research and development projects.
• Partner with Design Engineering teams to incorporate Design for Manufacture into our products to ensure robustness and manufacturability at scale.
• Engineer and deliver factories: design, procure, install, validate assembly, test and verification processes.
• Support development builds to uncover early learnings and resolve issues to accelerate the production ramp‑up.
• Take engineering ownership of production lines to remove blockers, improve yield and increase build efficiency.
• Triage and diagnose failures, conduct deep technical investigations and determine the right path forward including risk mitigation actions and root‑cause resolution.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to resolve complex issues.
• Drive process improvements across manufacturing, test and integration.
• Contribute to change management, assessing risk and impact of design or process changes.
• Support business system and process improvements to drive increased organizational effectiveness and efficiency.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, with a focus on assembly, integration, and test of complex systems (preferably in the aerospace or automotive industry).
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, tools, and equipment used in assembly and integration.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., Solid Works, NX, or CATIA) and PLM systems.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, with a focus on assembly, integration, and test of complex systems (preferably in the aerospace or automotive industry).
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, tools, and equipment used in assembly and integration.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., Solid Works, NX, or CATIA) and PLM systems.

• Master’s degree in a related engineering field.
• Experience in the aerospace industry, particularly with launch vehicles or spacecraft.
• Familiarity with composite materials and structures.
• Hands‑on experience with automation and robotics in manufacturing.
• Experience with environmental testing (vibration, thermal, vacuum) and associated test equipment.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles with excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to work under pressure in a fast, multifaceted environment.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• 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.

$100,000—$170,000 USD

Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including top‑tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100%…