Senior Manufacturing Engineer I- Composites
Rocket Lab · Middle River, MD
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 3 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior manufacturing role at Rocket Lab (aerospace & defense) in Middle River, MD. Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program.
- They ask for
- degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Value stream mapping, Root cause, Automation, Tooling
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
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
Find 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at this site
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply most.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
Ask about the work, not for a referral. We write it for you.
- 3
Have a 15-minute chat
Good questions for this role:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 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
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
including preparation of business cases
- ✓Develop production processes and ensure they are accurately and clearly documented, including testing procedures, health and safety
requirements
and supervisor sign-offs
- ✓Design, develop, and implement tooling and equipment for use in a production environment where required to achieve safety, quality, delivery and cost
requirements
- ✓Actively contribute to facility construction projects including
requirements
generation, design reviews and implementation support
- ✓Contribute to design reviews acting as an expert in design for manufacture, design for test, productivity, supplier capability assessments, quality control, etc.
- ✓Oversee introduction and implementation of new products and product revisions as related to the Neutron launch vehicle composite structure
- ✓Lead problem containment and structured root cause & corrective action investigations
- ✓Quickly analyze and resolve manufacturing discrepancies and non-conformances
- ✓Introduce automation where appropriate and ensure equipment data links directly to MRP and quality systems
- ✓Identify risks and improvements to develop the manufacturing engineering department to meet company needs
- ✓Develop and mentor less experienced engineers and technicians daily
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering, or other technical degree.
- ✓5 + years of composite manufacturing experience.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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.
Neutron
Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program. If you’re interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re-usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!
Senior manufacturing engineer i, composites
We are currently seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to be based at Rocket Lab's Space Structures Complex production facility in Middle River, MD. The Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Composites will be responsible for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of composite manufacturing technologies and processes used in the production of the Neutron Launch Vehicle structure.
What you’ll get to do
- •Identify, plan, and execute capital equipment, machine, and layout definitions to the meet volume
Would be nice to have
- +Working experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, Lean/Six Sigma and value stream mapping.
- +Experience with 3D CAD software and tooling design.
- +Experience in Automated Fiber Placement technology.
- +Experience both Autoclave and Out-of-Autoclave composite manufacturing techniques.
- +Experience with Non-Destructive Testing/Inspection of composite components.
- +Experience in qualification and acceptance testing of composite structural components.
Additional Requirement
- •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.
- •Sit at desk and operate computer, keyboard and office equipment for extended periods
- •Use hands with dexterity to operate controls, tools and technical equipment, as needed
- •Read technical documents, drawings, and computer screens requiring close and distance vision
- •Move between buildings, labs, and work areas, as needed
- •Work in office and technical environments with occasional exposure to noise, dust and fumes in production areas.
Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.
Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package , giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.
Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), 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, access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match, and free snacks/drinks onsite.
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.
$129,075 — $171,675 USD
Base Salary
$108,800 — $149,600 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 deadl