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Supplier Quality Engineer (I, II, Senior I, Senior II) - Harnessing

Rocket Lab · Long Beach, CA

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Level
Senior
Team
Quality
Degree
Required (or equivalent experience)
Experience asked
2+ years
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A senior quality role at Rocket Lab (aerospace & defense) in Long Beach, CA.

They ask for
2+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
Tools it names
Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, SPC, FMEA, PPAP

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

It asks for 2+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

At a glance

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

Your game plan for this job

Most people just hit Apply. Do these first and you show up with someone on the inside.

  1. 1

    Find 2–3 people on the Quality team at this site

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply most.

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    Ask about the work, not for a referral. We write it for you.

  3. 3

    Have a 15-minute chat

    Good questions for this role:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
    • How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

    Apply, ideally with a referral

    Ask if they'd refer you or introduce you to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link and tell them the day you apply.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

About the role

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.

  • ✓*(This position can be hired as a Supplier Quality Engineer (I, II, Senior I, Senior II) - Harnessing**

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.
  • ✓Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • ✓Demonstrated ability to share information and influence across organizational lines.

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

Show full 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.

Supply chain

Rocket Lab’s 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.

SUPPLIER QUALITY ENGINEER (I, II, Senior I, Senior II) – HARNESSING

Based out of Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Supplier Quality Engineer (I, II, Senior I, Senior II) – Harnessing role is responsible for ensuring quality

What you'll get to do

  • •Strategically source and onboard suppliers by assessing capabilities, manufacturing processes, and quality systems.
  • •Develop and implement supplier technical requirements, quality flow downs, and process controls to meet hardware manufacturing needs.
  • •Oversee and monitor the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) and ensure supplier qualification and reliability activities meet industry standards.
  • •Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends, drive improvement plans, and recommend technical product enhancements to reduce risk and defects.
  • •Provide feedback to suppliers to optimize manufacturing methods, reduce costs and cycle times, and increase yields.
  • •Serve as liaison between purchasing, engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to resolve quality issues and provide technical support.
  • •Lead supplier root cause analysis and corrective actions for quality gaps, escapes, or containments.
  • •Act as internal owner for supplier SPC, yield improvement, new tool/process qualification, and overall supplier performance in quality, efficiency, and cost.
  • •Lead projects and present findings to internal teams, management, and suppliers.

You’ll bring as a supplier quality engineer i – harnessing

  • •Experience in a regulated industry: Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, or similar.
  • •Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Mechatronic Engineering, or equivalent.
  • •Knowledgeable on IPC/WHMA-A-620, Class 3 and Space Addendum (preferably certified)
  • •Experience with harnessing and cable manufacturing (including school projects, clubs, or internships)
  • •Experience working with suppliers or in a supplier quality role (preferred).

You’ll bring as a supplier quality engineer ii – harnessing

  • •Minimum 2 years' experience in a regulated industry: Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, or similar.
  • •Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Mechatronic Engineering, or equivalent.
  • •Knowledgeable on IPC/WHMA-A-620, Class 3 and Space Addendum (preferably certified)
  • •Experience with harnessing and cable manufacturing (including school projects, clubs, or internships)
  • •Experience working with suppliers or in a supplier quality role (preferred).

You’ll bring as a senior supplier quality engineer i – harnessing

  • •Minimum 5 years' experience in a regulated industry: Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, or similar.
  • •Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Mechatronic Engineering, or equivalent.
  • •Knowledgeable on IPC/WHMA-A-620, Class 3 and Space Addendum (preferably certified)
  • •Experience with harnessing and cable manufacturing (including school projects, clubs, or internships)
  • •Experience working with suppliers or in a supplier quality role (preferred).

You’ll bring as a senior supplier quality engineer ii – harnessing

  • •Minimum 8 years' experience in a regulated industry: Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, or similar.
  • •Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Mechatronic Engineering, or equivalent.
  • •Knowledgeable on IPC/WHMA-A-620, Class 3 and Space Addendum (preferably certified)
  • •Experience with harnessing and cable manufacturing (including school projects, clubs, or internships)
  • •Experience working with suppliers or in a supplier quality role (preferred).

Would be nice to have

  • +Structured problem-solving experience using 8D, A3, or equivalent RCA methodology.
  • +Familiarity with AS9100 quality management systems; exposure to NADCAP special process

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