Senior Manager, Quality

SENIOR MANAGER, QUALITY

As a Senior Manager, Quality based at Rocket Lab’s site in Long Beach, CA, you will have the opportunity to support the future of quality at our headquarters. In this role you will work on pushing quality culture, developing high‑performing teams, and building scalable, impactful systems from the ground up.

To be successful in this role, you must be hands‑on and driven, leading from the front. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

• Manage and growing team of Quality Engineers, developing capability, accountability, and a proactive mindset across the group.
• Champion a shift from reactive to proactive quality management. Foster strong cross‑functional engagement, ensuring quality is embedded 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.
• Use methodologies like 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
• Experienced in aerospace, automotive, or regulated manufacturing sectors
• Exposure to supplier quality, compliance audits, and technical product documentation
• Able to influence, build relationships, and gain buy‑in across global teams.
• Experienced in quality systems and methodologies (AS9100, ISO, Lean, Six Sigma).

• A strong leader from a complex manufacturing environment (aerospace, automotive, or similar).
• Comfortable rolling up your sleeves and working across levels — from the 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.

• 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

Level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

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% company‑sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Other perks include:
Discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts.

Eligibili…