Senior Manufacturing Engineer I - TPA
About The Position
Based at Rocket Lab’s headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Senior Manufacturing Engineer develops new products and product revisions related to the Rutherford and Archimedes engines, with primary responsibility for turbopump assembly for the Archimedes engine. The role supports the Director of Manufacturing Engineering and the Production organization, with deliverables for internal leadership, the board of directors, and investors. The engineer mentors team members, contributes manufacturing expertise to design reviews and engineering processes, and develops production tooling, equipment, processes, and documentation. The position also leads continuous improvement and cost-reduction work, supports propulsion assembly technicians, helps plan manufacturing cells and factory layouts, and works with Quality to resolve issues and conduct root-cause investigations.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing engineering, or a similar engineering discipline.
- At least 5 years of experience in a heavy development manufacturing environment.
- Understanding of fluid and structural mechanics fundamentals.
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes for aerospace materials.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced engineering degree.
- Experience designing, testing, and developing turbopumps or similar turbomachinery.
- Experience contributing to and steering design reviews, providing technical expertise in design for manufacture, test, and assembly.
- Strong knowledge of GD&T and inspection methods.
- Working experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, Lean/Six Sigma, and value stream mapping.
- Experience with 3D CAD software and tooling design.
Responsibilities
- Mentor and coach team members in technical and professional development.
- Set and maintain team standards through documentation, training, coaching, and review of others’ work.
- Contribute to engineering process development and documentation.
- Contribute manufacturing expertise to design reviews, including design for manufacture, machining, productivity, and quality control.
- Design, develop, and implement production tooling and equipment to improve quality, delivery, or cost performance.
- Lead continuous improvement and cost-reduction projects.
- Collaborate with propulsion assembly technicians on alignment, capability, and support.
- Perform initial value stream mapping, method-of-manufacture planning, and cell design.
- Implement factory layouts, select equipment, and manage factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, and production commissioning.
- Develop production processes and ensure they are clearly documented, including testing procedures, health and safety requirements, and supervisor signoffs.
- Work with the Quality team to resolve manufacturing engineering quality responsibilities and, when required, lead problem containment and structured root-cause and corrective-action investigations.
- Lead continuous improvement in the assigned area using lean tools and techniques such as 5S.
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 and vision coverage.
- Paid vacation and sick time.
- 11 paid holidays.
- Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
- Paid parental leave.
- Disability and 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
