Lead Engineer, GSE and Production Tooling

Rocket Lab Corporation•Middle River, MD

5d•$116,800 - $160,600•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is seeking a Lead Engineer for its Tooling, Test, and Infrastructure team at its Space Structures Complex production facility in Middle River, Maryland. The role is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving tooling, ground support equipment (GSE), and testing for the Neutron Launch Vehicle. The Lead Engineer manages a team of engineers responsible for tooling, GSE, and test. The work includes scaling production through mechanical tooling that improves assembly accuracy, reduces setup time, and minimizes crane use; designing equipment that interfaces with the vehicle for testing, transport, and integration; and coordinating qualification and structural testing. The role also works with structures, facilities, operations, other Lead Engineers, and other stakeholders to manage facility-wide constraints, develop technician training plans, and deliver major capital projects that introduce new production techniques. The Lead Engineer contributes expertise to design reviews in design for manufacture and test, productivity, supplier capability assessments, and quality control. Leadership duties include mentoring engineers and technicians, robust project planning and scheduling, performance management, and recruiting as needed. The position may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. Compensation includes base salary of $116,800–$160,600 USD and total compensation (base and equity) of $137,075–$196,275 USD. The role also includes company stock. Benefits include an employee stock purchase program with a 15% discount, medical plans including a company-sponsored HSA option, dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, a 401(k) plan with company match, and onsite snacks and drinks.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, or another technical degree.
At least 5 years of engineering design experience.
Experience in a leadership position.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience with large tooling and structures design.
Working knowledge of Siemens NX/Teamcenter.
Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as metallic machining, welding, and fabrication.
Experience with structural analysis, including hand calculations and finite element analysis (FEA).
Ability to read and interpret P&IDs and wiring diagrams.
Demonstrated leadership competencies, especially change management, conflict resolution, knowing when to escalate or request help, and effective team management.

Responsibilities

Manage a team of engineers responsible for tooling, ground support equipment, and test for Neutron.
Coordinate the development of production tooling to scale Neutron production, improve assembly accuracy, reduce setup times, and minimize crane use.
Coordinate the design of ground support equipment that interfaces with the vehicle for testing, transport, and integration.
Coordinate engineering for qualification and structural tests.
Work with the structures team, other Lead Engineers, facilities, operations, and other stakeholders to manage facility-wide constraints.
Develop appropriate training plans so technicians are qualified to perform expected tasks.
Coordinate major capital projects that introduce new production techniques as production scales.
Contribute to design reviews as an expert in design for manufacture, design for test, productivity, supplier capability assessments, and quality control.
Develop and mentor less experienced engineers and technicians.
Ensure robust planning, including project schedules.
Manage performance for engineers on the team.
Recruit additional engineers as needed.