Senior Vehicle Integration Engineer - Tube Shop

Senior Vehicle Integration Engineer - Tube Shop

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 rocket has 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.

• 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 processes
• 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 able to commute to buildings
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise.

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…