Senior Supplier Development Engineer III – Electrical

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services complete spacecraft design and manufacturing payloads satellite components and more all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally supporting scientific exploration Earth observation and missions to combat climate change national security and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rockethas become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit all while we work to develop Neutron our upcoming medium-lift reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites payloads and their components including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

SUPPLY CHAIN

Rocket Labs Supply Chain team is responsible for the flow of all materials products and components through the business. With many of our own products functioning as critical components to our own and our customers missions the Supply Chain team has a direct impact on the success of our rocket and satellite programs. They set up the assembly kits that enables our technicians to put together our Electron rockets manage inventory look after shipping and receiving manage direct and indirect procurement and inspect and ensure that all of our materials and products are compliant and up to standard. They are the chain that links our teams together and are critical to our success.

SENIOR SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER I /II - ELECTRICAL

Based out of Rocket Labs headquarters in Long Beach CA the Senior Supplier Development Engineer I/II Electrical is the primary technical owner of the supply base for a broad portfolio of electrical hardware. This role is responsible for leading the end-to-end industrialization of suppliers from source selection and process qualification through NPI PPAP and production ramp thereby ensuring that every supplier can deliver conforming hardware at rate on cost and on schedule.

This is a hands-on supplier-facing role requiring deep commodity knowledge across electrical domains including but not limited to PCBAs (Printed Circuit Board Assemblies) wire harnesses connectors sensors power systems and electro-mechanical assemblies. The SDE operates proactively at the intersection of design manufacturing procurement and quality. They are the ultimate internal advocate for supply chain manufacturability and capability.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Lead end-to-end supplier industrialization for electrical hardware from source selection and process qualification through NPI PPAP and rate production ramp.
• Partner with procurement and engineering to identify evaluate and select suppliers based on process capability quality systems and capacity across PCB manufacturing SMT (Surface Mount Technology) wire harness assembly connector production and electro-mechanical integration.
• Conduct supplier capability assessments during qualification phases evaluating tooling maturity measurement systems process controls and workforce qualification against program requirements.
• Lead Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews with design engineering at the earliest program stage providing actionable feedback on PCB layout component selection trace routing tolerance stack-ups and design characteristics that drive cost or quality risk.
• Own the APQP process at suppliers driving completion of all quality planning deliverables process flow PFMEA control plan MSA/GR&R and dimensional results on schedule and to the required standard.
• Drive the PPAP program as a production readiness gate; define required submission levels disposition supplier packages and ensure process capability (Cpk) is demonstrated on critical and significant characteristics to enable at-rate production.
• Lead First Article Inspection (FAI) activities at suppliers and in coordination with internal quality teams; ensure all findings are resolved to closure within project timelines.
• Identify systemic performance gaps; own supplier improvement plans and drive measurable progress against quality cost delivery and capacity targets.
• Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA) for supplier quality issues and escapes applying structured problem-solving methods (8D 5-Why) and validating that corrective actions are robust and sustained across all applicable parts and production lines.
• Apply lean manufacturing and statistical quality tools including SPC Cpk trending and process audits to drive continuous improvement across the electrical supply base and eliminate sources of recurring defect.

**(This position can be hired as a Senior Supplier Development Engineer I or Senior Supplier Development Engineer II)**

QUALIFICATIONS YOULL BRING AS A SENIOR SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER I

• Minimum 5 years experience working in a regulated industry (Aerospace Medical Automotive Industrial or similar).
• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering Manufacturing Engineering or a closely related technical discipline.
• Working knowledge of APQP PPAP PFMEA control plans MSA and statistical process capability (Cpk/Ppk).
• Experience conducting DFM reviews and translating design intent into manufacturing and quality requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings schematics wiring diagrams and PCB layouts.

QUALIFICATIONS YOULL BRING AS A SENIOR SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER II

• Minimum 8 years experience working in a regulated industry (Aerospace Medical Automotive Industrial or similar).
• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering Manufacturing Engineering or a closely related technical discipline.
• Working knowledge of APQP PPAP PFMEA control plans MSA and statistical process capability (Cpk/Ppk).
• Experience conducting DFM reviews and translating design intent into manufacturing and quality requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings schematics wiring diagrams and PCB layouts.

WHAT MAKES A GREAT CANDIDATE:

Beyond technical qualifications we are looking for someone who:

• Owns problems all the way to resolution doesnt hand off and walk away.
• Is proactive at suppliers not reactive; identifies risks before they become escapes.
• Can translate complex engineering requirements into clear actionable supplier expectations.
• Builds genuine working relationships with supplier technical teams and earns trust through competence.
• Communicates with clarity and urgency across internal engineering procurement quality and program management.
• Thrives in a fast-paced resource-constrained environment and makes high-quality decisions under schedule pressure.
• Brings intellectual curiosity about manufacturing enjoys spending time on the shop floor understanding how things are made.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 40% domestically and internationally sometimes on short notice.
• Ability to work extended hours some nights or weekends when needed.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision peripheral vision depth perception and the ability to focus.
• Regularly required to sit use hands and fingers operate computer keyboard and controls and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings.
• Occasional exposure to dust fumes and moderate levels of noise.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats not an easy task. It takes hard work determination relentless innovation teamwork grit and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each others backs checking our egos at the door and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure work to tight deadlines and our focus is always on how we can deliver rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder) or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia Japan New Zealand Switzerland the European Union or a country that is part of NATO or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations click hereITAR Regulations.