Senior Production Engineer I

Rocket Lab•Albuquerque, NM

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Based out of Rocket Lab's s ite in Albuquerque, NM as part of the SolAero Technologies acquisition, the Senior Production Engineer I is responsible for developing and maintaining processes for building advanced solar panels for space applications and ensuring they won’t fail on orbit . You will support the Panel Engineering Manager and the Production organization , with deliverables for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field or sufficient equivalent experience.
5+ years related experience supporting a manufacturing line in a technical role
Attention to detail and previous demonstrated experience with writing technical instruction documents

Nice To Haves

Experience working with PLC based systems or automated manufacturing tools
Experience designing tooling and mechanical solutions to support a manufacturing line or process
Experience with any programming or scripting is a plus, as is SQL experience
Experience using Statistical Process Control (SPC) to understand whether a process is performing as intended
Experience with parallel gap resistance welding, polymeric adhesives, wiring, or mechanical fixturing processes

Responsibilities

Function as the technical champion of our manufacturing processes, solving problems in real-time with the Operators and Technicians building spaceflight hardware
Be the liaison between the technical/process parts of the business and the operations/execution arm on the production floor
Proactively remove hurdles from those executing manufacturing processes and maintain an environment where manufacturing operators and technicians can excel.
Develop a practical understanding of the design, construction, manufacturing methods and operating principles of series interconnected multi-junction solar cells.
Develop a practical understanding of the effects that external variables such as temperature, strain conditions, and the effects of a space environment can have on the materials used in the manufacture of solar panels.
Develop a detailed understanding of parallel gap resistance welding, mechanical fixturing for high throughput assembly, and additive manufacturing techniques.
Develop a practical working knowledge of the dispense and cure of space grade polymeric adhesives, the methods by which they can be mixed, degassed, and applied. An understanding should be built about the methods by which these materials cure and the factors that drive the effectiveness and rate of that cure.
Develop a working knowledge of the electrical circuits used in solar panels and the design constraints thereof
Combine the understanding described above to support current manufacturing capability and work to monitor/improve/expand the existing processes by working with area engineers
Use your background with PLCs and process automation to support an automated assembly line
Use analysis tools such as Excel, JMP and presentation tools such as Word and PowerPoint to develop and present results of experiments that you may help execute to internal groups
Use your experience writing technical documents to help develop a set of standard work instructions for new automated manufacturing processes
Effectively train operators on the proper use of equipment, and support their work with proper guidance, expertise and help.
Provide the daily support that these folks need to be successful.
Develop collaborative working relationships with operators, technicians, engineers, and managers.