Senior Weld Engineer

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rockethas become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program. If you’re interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re‑usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!

We are currently seeking a Senior Weld Engineer to be based at Rocket Lab's Space Structures Complex production facility in Middle River, MD. The Senior Weld Engineer will be responsible for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the tube shop and welding processes used in the production of the Neutron Launch Vehicle structure.

• Responsible for the development of tube shop from the ground up and owning fabrication processes from concept through production
• Develop, implement, and maintain weld schedules
• Develop and qualify new processes to take products from design to production
• Resolve manufacturing discrepancies for all owned parts and processes by collaborating with the design engineering, production, and quality teams
• Support day-to-day production of tubes, relevant sub assembles, and integration of hardware
• Identify, plan, and execute capital equipment, machine, and layout upgrades to meet volume production demand
• Find and eliminate process waste, streamline production processes, and enable continuous improvement

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, or other technical degree.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience driving the design, building, testing, manufacturing, or development of mechanical components or systems
• Direct experience with tube welding in a relevant industry (aerospace, nuclear, or similar)
• Firm understanding of the metallurgy which governs welding

• Master's degree in aerospace, mechanical, systems or manufacturing engineering
• Experience with tube fabrication and orbital tube weld schedule development desired.
• Working knowledge of material properties and material selection related to welding with common aerospace materials.
• Experience working in a dynamic environment where troubleshooting is required
• Experience with design for manufacturability and assembly
• Experience with welding, machining, and coating prosses
• Knowledge of principles of chemistry, engineering, fluid dynamics, and mechanics of materials
• Experience conducting pressure and leak testing using instrumentation such as helium mass spectrometers, flow meters, pressure transducers, and thermocouples
• Experience performing PFMEAs
• Familiarity with CAD and GD&T

• 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…