Senior Manufacturing Engineer I - Assembly & Integration

Rocket Lab • Long Beach, CA

3d

About The Position

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer I focused on Assembly & Integration. The role improves manufacturing processes through feasibility studies, manufacturing technology research and development, design-for-manufacture support, and factory setup and optimization. The engineer will troubleshoot production issues, collaborate with cross-functional teams, drive process improvements, and support organizational efficiency through change management and business system enhancements.

The position includes engineering and delivering factories and assembly, test, and verification processes; supporting development builds to identify early lessons and resolve issues; and taking ownership of production lines to remove blockers, improve yield, and increase build efficiency. The engineer will investigate failures, determine mitigation and corrective actions, and contribute to effective design and process changes.

The role 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 and equity, with level and base salary determined based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The stated total compensation range is $135,000–$194,000 USD, and the base salary range is $115,000–$158,000 USD.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or a similar field.
• At least 5 years of technical experience in a Manufacturing, Production, or Process Engineering environment.
• Hands-on experience proactively identifying and solving systemic, multifaceted problems in complex manufacturing systems.
• Ability to deliver multiple complex, multifaceted assignments simultaneously with autonomy.
• Ability to coach and mentor others across multiple teams.
• Detailed technical knowledge of complex manufacturing processes.

Nice To Haves

• Working experience with environmental or production acceptance testing, such as vibration, shock, thermal, and vacuum testing.
• Understanding of instrumentation, interfaces, and sensors, including power supplies, oscilloscopes, serial devices, switch topologies, accelerometers, thermocouples, RTDs, and 4–20 mA sensors.
• Experience designing, implementing, and supporting a production line or build area.
• Experience transitioning products from design to production as part of a cross-functional team in a fast-paced, iterative design environment.
• Demonstrated experience with DFMEA, PFMEA methodologies, Fault Tree Analysis, Pareto analysis, root cause, and corrective action.
• Ability to deliver complex assignments with autonomy.

Responsibilities

• Prepare feasibility studies and conduct manufacturing technology research and development projects.
• Partner with Design Engineering teams to incorporate Design for Manufacture and ensure products are robust and manufacturable at scale.
• Design, procure, install, and validate factories and assembly, test, and verification processes.
• Support development builds to uncover early learnings and resolve issues that accelerate production ramp-up.
• Take engineering ownership of production lines to remove blockers, improve yield, and increase build efficiency.
• Triage and diagnose failures, conduct technical investigations, and determine next steps, including risk mitigation and root-cause resolution.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve complex issues.
• Drive process improvements across manufacturing, test, and integration.
• Contribute to change management by assessing the risk and impact of design or process changes.
• Support business system and process improvements to increase organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Coach and mentor others to raise performance across multiple teams.

Benefits

• Company stock as part of total compensation.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
• Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a company HSA contribution.
• Dental coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
• Paid parental leave.
• Disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Subsidized EV charging.
• Onsite fitness centers where available.
• Discounted gym memberships.
• Complimentary snacks and beverages.
• 50% employee discount on the company merchandise store.
• Other employee discounts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior