Quality Engineer II

Rocket Lab Corporation•Chantilly, VA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

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 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. SPACE SYSTEMS At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions. QUALITY ENGINEER II Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains. As a Quality Engineer II based at our Optical Systems site in Chantilly, VA, you will support the development and production of advanced optical payloads and systems for space and ISR missions. In this role, you will work closely with Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and Program teams to ensure products meet customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements throughout the product lifecycle. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related discipline
2+ years of experience in Quality Engineering or Quality Assurance within a manufacturing environment
Experience working within a Quality Management System; AS9100 experience strongly preferred
Strong working knowledge of NCRs, CAPA, MRB/FRB, ESD, and FOD controls
Experience with inspection and test activities, metrology, and calibration systems
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, including GD&T
Experience analyzing quality data and presenting metrics using tools such as Power BI, Power Apps, Excel, or similar data visualization platforms
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills
Ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, production, supply chain, and program teams
U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
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
Ability to travel domestically and/or internationally as required to support test campaigns, supplier oversight, and program needs

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting spaceflight hardware or optical/electro-optical systems
ASQ Quality Engineer or Quality Technician certification
Experience working with suppliers and subcontractors in a regulated environment
Familiarity with aerospace customer audits and government contracts
Experience developing or enhancing Power Apps workflows and Power BI dashboards for quality or manufacturing metrics
Active U.S. Government security clearance

Responsibilities

Develop and execute inspection methods to verify product quality and workmanship
Ensure products comply with internal procedures, customer requirements, and industry standards such as AS9100
Investigate products and process nonconformances and lead root cause analysis and corrective actions
Generate, manage, and close Nonconformance Reports (NCRs), Corrective Action Reports, and support MRB/FRB activities
Provide quality training and guidance to production and engineering teams on workmanship standards, procedures, ESD, and FOD
Coordinate and document calibration activities and maintain metrology controls
Support and maintain compliance with ESD and FOD programs across production and integration areas
Perform inspections, review inspection data, and document results and findings
Collect, analyze, and trend quality data using digital tools such as Power Apps and Power BI to support data-driven decision making
Develop and maintain dashboards and reports to monitor quality metrics, nonconformance trends, corrective action effectiveness, and process performance
Participate in internal, customer, and third-party quality audits as required
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency, quality, and repeatability of processes
The Quality Engineer will support, analyze, and report on quality performance using data-driven metrics
Travel as required to support test campaigns, supplier activities, audits, source inspections, and program milestones
Perform other duties as assigned in support of quality, compliance, and program execution