Senior Avionics Manufacturing Engineer I

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets spacecraft and critical subsystems that keep the world connected protected expand humanitys reach to the Moon Mars and beyond. We move fast build real hardware for meaningful missions and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab were not just launching rockets were building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space like solar panels flight software star trackers optical systems separation systems radios and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft payloads and components for missions to the Moon and Mars working with partners including NASA the Space Development Agency and the U.S. Space Force. Whether its a single high-performance spacecraft constellation or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

Rocket Lab Robotics specializes in high-performance robotic systems and precision mechanisms that enable the most ambitious space missions including NASAs Mars Perseverance Rover and CADRE lunar rovers. Leveraging Mars-proven expertise from Motiv Space Systems we deliver scalable flight-proven solutions such as robotic arms motion control systems and solar array drive assemblies (SADAs) to support planetary exploration satellite servicing and national security missions.

We are currently seeking a Senior Avionics Manufacturing Engineer Ito be based onsite at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena CA. You will develop implement and continuously improve avionics processes through strong working knowledge of EEE piece parts PCB PCBA electromechanical assembly tooling test and quality techniques. You will work closely with design engineering production quality supply chain and highly skilled technicians to translate designs into efficient repeatable and well-documented manufacturing processes. Youll play a critical role in supporting all aspects of Avionics production at Rocket Lab Robotics by taking ownership of products released to production removing production blockers dispositioning issue tickets performing root-cause analysis and implementing corrective actions. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on problem solving rapid iteration and building the processes that enable complex robotics hardware to move from prototype through production.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Work closely with responsible design engineers to provide solutions for reliability and quality of electromechanical assemblies and associated test fixtures
• Review fabrication and assembly documentation for flight and production hardware providing manufacturability feedback to improve build efficiency reduce risk and optimize cost without compromising quality or performance
• Develop build methods to increase throughput reduce opportunities for error simplify technician workflows and improve manufacturability.
• Collect document and communicate lessons learned from builds to design engineering manufacturing quality and production teams.
• Develop and maintain clear work instructions travelers test procedures and visual aids to ensure effective communication between engineering and technicians.
• Oversee the creation maintenance and accuracy of production travelers and manufacturing documentation to ensure traceability quality compliance and efficient execution of manufacturing processes.
• Maintain integrated planning and build documents that reflect current hardware configurations work scope priorities and production readiness.
• Identify and mitigate risks tied to shortages late drawing release process planning gaps and supply constraints
• Quickly analyze and resolve manufacturing discrepancies and non-conformances and collaborate with the quality team to identify and drive quality-related initiatives and improvements
• Develop production procedures and processes and ensure they are accurately and clearly documented to allow repeatable and reliable manufacturing
• Contribute and steer design reviews acting as an expert in design for manufacture and test.

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering manufacturing engineering aerospace engineering or similar engineering discipline
• 5 years of experience in an avionics electrical or electrical/mechanical focused manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of electronic circuits design principles and manufacturing techniques
• Experience developing manufacturing processes work instructions or test procedures for complex hardware.
• U.S Citizenship required due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience transitioning products from design to production as a part of cross-functional team in a fast-paced iterative design environment.
• Working experience with environmental acceptance/production acceptance testing such as vibration shock thermal and vacuum
• Understanding of instrumentation interfaces and sensors including power supplies oscilloscopes serial devices switch topologies accelerometers thermocouples RTDs and 4-20mA sensors
• Demonstrated experience with DFMEA PFMEA methodologies Fault Tree Analysis Pareto analysis root cause and corrective action.
• Working experience with capacity modeling process mapping Lean/Six Sigma and value stream mapping
• SPC knowledge and experience applying statistical methods to track process capability and performance.

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting standing walking computer work and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise dust and fumes in production areas.

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 here ITAR Regulations.