Senior Industrial Engineer

ABOUT ROCKET LAB 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 to 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.

About The Role 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 selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

SENIOR INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER Based out of Rocket Lab’s Neutron manufacturing facility in Baltimore, MD the Senior Industrial Engineer is responsible for performing low flow, high mix production system design and implementation. The Senior IE will execute projects for product, process and equipment manufacturing improvements including the design, build, commissioning and production hand‑off.

Qualified candidates will have hands‑on experience in manufacturing processes for aerospace materials including but not limited to carbon composite lamination, automated fiber placement, CNC machining, large structural fastened assemblies, large structural bonded assemblies, large lift operations, large‑scale test operations, and detail integration operations.

• As an industrial engineer, you will be a key driver of our production system, ensuring that multiple work streams are able to efficiently use limited space, manpower, and facilities resources.
• Review Value Stream Mapping Exercises, Method of Manufacture plans, cell design, etc.
• Define and implement Factory layouts, Equipment selection, FAT, SAT, and production commissioning.
• Understand and translate manufacturing and process requirements into facilities requirements, including but not limited to electrical load requirements, HVAC requirements, plumbed utilities (air, nitrogen, etc), and vacuum.
• Capital and facilities justification, project management and implementation.
• Identify, plan, and execute capital equipment, machine, and layout upgrades to meet volume requirements including preparation of business cases.
• Take a “Lean First” approach to production system development and facilitate production system development with key stakeholders.
• Introduce automation where appropriate and ensure equipment data links directly to MRP and quality systems.

• Bachelor Degree in Engineering (Preferably Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace).
• 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with designing, implementing, and supporting a production line and build area.
• Experience with CAD systems such as NX or Solidworks.
• Experience in the application of Lean Manufacturing tools and methodologies.

• Advanced engineering degree (Preferably Manufacturing, Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace).
• 8+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment and/or Industrial Engineering positions.
• Experience transitioning products from design to production as part of a cross‑functional team in a fast‑paced, iterative design environment.
• Understanding of composites manufacturing.
• Experience with heavy equipment, lifting large loads, etc.

• 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…