Manufacturing Engineer II​/Senior - Machining

Manufacturing

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

Manufacturing Engineer II / Senior
- Machining

We are currently seeking an experienced 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 related to the Rutherford engine (currently used 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 and 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 cost performance.
• Lead 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 machinists on a daily basis.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing engineering, or equivalent.
• 2+ years of machine shop experience.
• Experience in CAM software and 3 and 5-axis CNC equipment.
• Well versed in GD&T and inspection methods.
• 6+ years of experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing engineering, or equivalent.
• 5+ years of machine shop experience.
• Experience in CAM software and 3 and 5-axis CNC equipment.
• Well versed in GD&T and inspection methods.
• 9+ 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, additive manufacturing and welding.
• NX CAM programming and operating 5-axis CNC machining.

Position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

$100,000 — $155,000 USD

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, 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.

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. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, and compensation.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at  This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.