Senior Quality Engineer I

Rocket Lab Corporation • Chantilly, VA

31d • $95,200 - $119,000 • Onsite

About The Position

As a Senior Quality Engineer I for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Chantilly, VA, you will have the opportunity to support Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture by ensuring products meet customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements throughout the product lifecycle.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related discipline
• 5+ 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
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance

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

Benefits

• Company stock as part of total compensation
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount)
• Medical plans
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Paid vacation
• Sick time
• 11 paid holidays
• Flexible spending accounts
• Dependent care accounts
• Paid parental leave
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match

What This Job Offers

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