Supplier Quality Engineer II/Senior - Machining

Rocket Lab Corporation•Long Beach, CA

3h•Onsite

About The Position

Based out of Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA the Supplier Quality Engineer II/Senior - Machining is responsible for ensuring quality requirements for procured parts, services, and processes are achieved. Working as a liaison between internal design/manufacturing stakeholders and suppliers, you translate technical requirements into clear specifications, drive supplier improvement, and manage the competing priorities between customers and suppliers.

Requirements

Minimum 2 years' experience in a regulated industry: Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, or similar.
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Mechatronic Engineering, or equivalent.
Prior experience in a supplier quality role.
Proficiency with GD&T and engineering drawing interpretation.
Minimum 5 years' experience in a regulated industry: Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, or similar.
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Mechatronic Engineering, or equivalent.
Prior experience in a supplier quality role.
Proficiency with GD&T and engineering drawing interpretation.

Nice To Haves

CNC machining operations: milling, turning, 5-axis machining, fixturing/setup practices, tool & die fundamentals, and the ability to review machining routings and process plans.
Engineering drawings and GD&T per ASME Y14.5, particularly in a machined-components context.
Propulsion/fluid system component knowledge: pressure hardware, seal faces, fluid interfaces, and associated manufacturing processes (extrusions, seamless/welded tubing, forming, welding, proof/pressure testing).
Surface finish requirements and their relationship to functional performance — sealing surfaces, fluid interfaces, bearing fits.
Thread standards and inspection methods (unified, metric, pipe) for fluid system applications.
Cleanliness and FOD control requirements for propulsion fluid system hardware.
Welding familiarity: TIG, MIG, and orbital tube welding of stainless and carbon steels.
Stainless steel grade experience (300 series, 17-4, 15-5) — machinability, weldability, and corrosion considerations.
Sheet metal forming familiarity: press brake, hydroforming, and tube bending in stainless and carbon steels.
Structured problem-solving experience using 8D, A3, or equivalent RCA methodology.
Familiarity with AS9100 quality management systems; exposure to NADCAP special process requirements a plus.
Knowledge of statistical quality methods: SPC, process capability (Cp/Cpk), MSA/Gage R&R; Six Sigma or Lean a plus.
Experience with PPAP and related elements: APQP, PFD, PFMEA, Control Plan, FAIR.
Proficiency with MRP/ERP systems; familiarity with Jira, Confluence, and Power BI a plus.
Demonstrated ability to share information and influence across organizational lines.

Responsibilities

Serve as the technical point of contact for assigned parts and assemblies, solving emergent supplier quality challenges and mitigating risk to the manifest.
Own production components and assemblies end-to-end - driving improvements in manufacturing methods, identifying new suppliers, and developing reliable rate-ramp processes.
Conduct DFM reviews to ensure parts are manufacturable, preferably prior to sourcing.
Partner with procurement to vet suppliers for quality capability and takt time alignment.
Author and flow down specifications translating Rocket Lab quality and manufacturing requirements to the supply base.
Scope forming, cutting, and inspection technologies that improve rate, quality, or efficiency.
Drive root cause resolution on assigned part issues; implement changes at suppliers or internally and pursue re-sourcing where warranted.
Create and disposition Nonconformance tickets; coordinate rework, repair, or use-as-is dispositions with engineering.
Lead containment activities on assigned parts - define scope, align cross-functional stakeholders, and drive to resolution.