Manufacturing Engineer
Rocket Lab Corporation
Salary undisclosed
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Description
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.
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.
Manufacturing Engineering powers Rocket Lab's factories from concept to full-scale production. We're seeking Manufacturing Engineers across multiple disciplines to turn early ideas into manufacturable designs, build and optimize the systems that make them real, and constantly push for faster, better, smarter ways to build rockets.
THE OPPORTUNITIES:
We're hiring across four key manufacturing disciplines:
- Assembly & Integration – Mechanical, Assembly, Propulsion, Mechanical Test
- Avionics & Test – Electronics manufacturing, electrical test, debugging systems
- Composites – Advanced materials, resins, ablatives, sandwich structures
- Machining – CNC programming, precision manufacturing, GD&T
In your application, please indicate which discipline(s) align with your experience and interests.
YOU'LL GET TO:
- Own & Ship:
- Become the expert on products you help build and launch
- Help teams hit production goals while maintaining quality
- Improve existing products and support new designs
- Solve & Fix:
- Investigate why things fail and implement fixes
- Make calls on whether parts meet flight standards using engineering analysis
- Connect production, quality, and design teams to solve problems fast
- Build & Improve:
- Write clear procedures so production runs smoothly every time
- Design reliable hardware and test setups
- Create test methods for critical systems
- Use Lean/Six Sigma to make things better and faster
- Lead & Scale:
- Review designs to make sure they're easy to build and test
- Help launch new products to the factory floor
- Identify equipment needs and build the business case
- Set up better systems for planning, quality tracking, and data
- Grow & Deliver:
- Mentor technicians and newer engineers
- Break big projects into manageable pieces and ship them
- Run your own projects with minimal oversight
- Document wins and lessons learned for the team
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
Core requirements (all disciplines):
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or similar
- 0-5 years of technical experience in a Manufacturing, Production, or Process Engineering environment
- Hands-on experience solving problems in complex manufacturing systems
- Ability to effectively deliver on complex assignments with autonomy
- Foundational knowledge in complex manufacturing processes
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
- Can-do approach and flexibility to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment
Additional discipline-specific experience (one or more of):
- Avionics & Test: Debugging electro-mechanical systems, understanding of instrumentation and sensors
- Composites: Knowledge of advanced composites materials, tooling, and manufacturing processes
- Machining: GD&T and inspection methods, CAM software for 3 and 5-axis CNC machines, 2+ years machine shop experience
- Assembly & Integration: Experience with mechanical assembly, integration, or test processes
BONUS POINTS FOR:
- Experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability manufacturing
- Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma knowledge
- Cross-discipline manufacturing exposure
- Experience with ERP/PLM Systems (Siemens Team Center, Infor LN)
- Knowledge of production quality metrics
- Experience with environmental and production acceptance testing (vibration, shock, thermal, vacuum)
- Understanding of instrumentation, interfaces, and sensors (power supplies, oscilloscopes, serial devices, accelerometers, thermocouples, RTDs, 4-20mA sensors)
EXPECTATIONS
- Provide solutions and ideas when faced with engineering challenges
- Share knowledge on effectiveness of theories and concepts
- Navigate and complete daily tasks within technical systems
- Create and improve technical documentation
- Communicate effectively with peers and contribute to team objectives
- Demonstrate professionalism, punctuality, and adherence to company policies
- Ensure health and safety policies and procedures are followed at all times
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Domestic and international travel may be required
- Additional duties as reasonably required
- Adherence to company policies and procedures is expected
WHAT TO EXPECT
We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.
Important information:
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:
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 (i.e., current Green Card holder), 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. Learn more about ITAR here.
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 at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.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.
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:
For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.
About this role
Rocket Lab is looking for Manufacturing Engineers to help scale production of rockets and spacecraft across four specialized disciplines: Assembly & Integration, Avionics & Test, Composites, and Machining. You'll work in their Auckland factory turning designs into manufacturable reality, optimizing production systems, and solving the technical problems that arise when building hardware for space. The role sits at the intersection of engineering and operations—you'll own products from concept through production, investigate failures, write procedures, design test setups, and use Lean methods to drive continuous improvement.
The ideal candidate has a bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field and 0–5 years of hands-on experience in manufacturing or production environments. You'll need to be comfortable working autonomously on complex assignments, communicate clearly across teams, and thrive in a fast-paced setting where priorities shift. Depending on which discipline you target, you should bring specific expertise—whether that's GD&T and CNC programming for machining, composites materials knowledge, electro-mechanical debugging for avionics, or mechanical assembly and integration experience. Aerospace or defense background, Lean/Six Sigma training, and familiarity with production testing methods are valuable but not required.
This is an in-office role in Auckland with occasional travel. Rocket Lab emphasizes a collaborative, high-accountability culture where you're expected to deliver under pressure, mentor junior team members, and contribute ideas beyond your immediate scope. You'll have real ownership over projects and the autonomy to run them with minimal oversight.
Typical pay for this role
$100,000
Typical range: $60,000 to $140,000
This role's local market on JobMinglr
Pay for this role
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