Senior Quality Technician

Rocket Lab Corporation•Albuquerque, NM

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Based at Rocket Lab’s new site in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Senior Quality Technician supports product quality assurance for assigned product lines. The role ensures purchased raw materials, substrates, metals, and components meet specifications before release to downstream production. Responsibilities include incoming inspection, laboratory testing, and documentation review across assigned material commodities, working with manufacturing, engineering, and quality teams to prevent nonconforming material from entering production. The technician may accept, reject, or quarantine incoming lots; document inspection and test results; maintain lot traceability; and help improve inspection instructions, test methods, and sampling plans. The role also has authority to implement protocols, recommend improvements, and stop processes when a nonconformance is found or employee wellbeing is at risk.

Requirements

High school diploma.
At least 8 years of manufacturing experience or direct quality-related experience.
Experience with quality assurance processes.
Familiarity with ISO-9001 and/or QS-9000, metrology equipment, and engineering drawing concepts or GD&T.
Exposure to design and manufacturing environments and protocol implementation.
Detail-oriented, able to work independently, and able to meet deadlines.
Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, and memos, and write simple correspondence.
Proficiency in basic arithmetic, including calculating rates, ratios, and percentages and interpreting bar graphs.
Computer proficiency.
Ability to stand and walk throughout an 8+ hour shift on various work surfaces.
Ability to climb ladders and work at elevated heights, in small spaces, awkward positions, and tight areas as needed.
Ability to perform repetitive motions, including bending, twisting, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling, and stooping.
Manual precision to handle, control, and operate tools, instruments, and equipment.
Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
Ability to work in varied environments, including production floors, equipment areas, and field locations, with exposure to noise, temperature variations, and moving machinery.
Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and varied shifts as operational needs require.
For candidates working in U.S. offices, must meet applicable U.S. Government export-control requirements, including ITAR-related citizenship, residency, refugee/asylee status, or authorization requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience with semiconductor or aerospace materials inspection.
Familiarity with ERP/MES systems.
Experience with AS9102 First Article Inspection.
Exposure to cleanroom protocols and NASA Vision exam requirements.
Experience supporting counterfeit and suspect material prevention programs.

Responsibilities

Perform receiving inspection of semiconductor materials and components using approved procedures and sampling plans, such as ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 and c=0.
Inspect Germanium and GaAs substrate wafers, coverglass, adhesives, interconnects, aerospace electrical components, and precious metals.
Conduct laboratory measurements and inspections for surface defects, particles, contamination, and dimensions using optical microscopy, high-intensity light inspection, calipers, micrometers, height gauges, optical comparators, and vision systems.
Verify supplier Certificates of Conformance and Certificates of Analysis against purchase orders, material specifications, and drawings, including lot traceability, shelf life, and expiration dates.
Perform First Article Inspection on new or changed purchased parts when required, using the AS9102 format.
Conduct visual and packaging inspections for correct labeling, handling, ESD protection, and contamination-free packaging.
Disposition incoming lots as accepted, rejected, or quarantined and update material status in the ERP/MES system.
Identify, tag, and segregate nonconforming material; initiate Nonconformance Reports and support Material Review Board activities.
Support counterfeit and suspect material prevention in accordance with company procedures.
Accurately record inspection and test results in quality databases and maintain inspection records for full lot traceability.
Assist in writing and revising inspection instructions, test methods, and sampling plans.
Deploy the Quality Management System within the scope of work.
Implement protocols, reject or quarantine material, recommend improvements, and stop processes that threaten employee wellbeing or involve a nonconformance.