Lead, Manufacturing Engineer - Space Systems

rocketlab

Long Beach, CA · Long Beach · United States

Posted Aug 4, 2026

Other
On-site
2420 USA Manufacturing Engineering

Apply on company site

Job description

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 humanity’s 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.

MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing Engineering powers Rocket Lab’s factories from concept to full-scale production. We turn early ideas into manufacturable designs, build and optimize the systems that make them real, and constantly push for faster, better, smarter ways to build. We engineer the factories that build the rockets, boosting quality, cutting cost, and accelerating build rate.

LEAD MANUFACTURING ENGINEER - SPACE SYSTEMS

This role focuses on improving manufacturing processes through feasibility studies, supporting product design for manufacturability, and leading factory setup and optimization. It involves troubleshooting production issues, collaborating with cross-functional teams, driving process improvements, and supporting organizational efficiency through change management and business system enhancements, while also taking on leadership responsibilities to guide teams and initiatives.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

Prepare feasibility studies and conduct manufacturing technology Research & Development projects 
Partner with our Design Engineering teams to incorporate Design for Manufacture into our products to ensure robustness and manufacturability at scale 
Engineer and deliver our factories – design, procure, install, validate assembly, test and verification processes 
Support Development builds to uncover early learnings and resolve issues to accelerate the production ramp up 
Take engineering ownership of production lines to remove blockers, improve yield and increase build efficiency 
Triage and diagnose failures, conduct deep technical investigations and determine the right path forward including risk mitigation actions and root cause resolution 
Collaborate with cross functional teams to resolve complex issues  
Drive process improvements across manufacturing, test and integration 
Contribute to change management, assessing risk and impact of design or process changes 
Support business system and process improvements to drive increased organizational effectiveness and efficiency

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or similar 
5+ years of technical experience in a Manufacturing, Production, or Process Engineering environment
Hands-on experience proactively identifying and solving systemic multifaceted problems in complex manufacturing systems
Ability to effectively deliver multiple complex multifaceted assignments simultaneously with autonomy
Ability to effectively coach and mentor others to raise the bar across multiple teams  
Detailed technical knowledge in complex manufacturing processes
Personnel leadership experience 
Capital and facilities justification, project management and implementation
Perform periodic reviews with direct employees
Interview and hire candidates to fill new roles
Create team goals and metrics to drive continuous improvement projects

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

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
Experience with designing, implementing, and supporting a production line and/or build area
Experience transitioning products from design to production as a part of cross-functional team in a fast-paced, iterative design environment
Demonstrated experience with DFMEA, PFMEA methodologies, Fault Tree Analysis, Pareto analysis, root cause and corrective action

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.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including: top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include: Discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts.

Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role. Benefit programs are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)

$125,000—$170,000 USD

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s 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 other’s 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 g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.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.