Senior Weld Engineer I

Rocket Lab is seeking an experienced Senior Weld Engineer to be based at our Engine Development Center in Long Beach, CA. This role will work under the direction of the Materials & Processes Department to lead the development, qualification, implementation, and continuous improvement of many welding processes used in the production of the Archimedes Engine for Neutron. This candidate shall be the main technical point of contact for all welding-related production issues and shall interface frequently with Manufacturing engineering teams to resolve these issues.

• •Develop and implement procedures and process improvements for all welding activities used in the production of the Archimedes Engine.
• •Author welding process specifications and PQR’s for each welding process on the Archimedes Engine.
• •Define welding acceptance criteria in accordance with AWS D17.1 and other relevant NASA standards.
• •Improve welding processes by conducting root cause analyses on weld related nonconformances.
• •Provide expert guidance on weld repair rework, repair, and dispositioning.
• •Support production operations on full scale welded assemblies, providing direction to manufacturing engineers and welders on correct techniques in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• •Work closely with design, tooling, and manufacturing engineers to improve welded designs for manufacturing.
• •Develop and execute welding qualification test campaigns and interpret mechanical testing and NDE results.
• •General support of M&P related projects.

• •Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Welding, Mechanical Engineering or a relevant STEM field.
• •5+ years of experience in weld engineering working with TIG, Laser, MIG, or EBEAM for aerospace applications.
• •Hands-on fabrication, manufacturing, or testing experience of welded assemblies.
• •Working experience with Laser Welding, GTAW, GMAW, and Orbital GTAW welding processes with a variety of materials.
• •Working knowledge of carbon / stainless-steel / Nickel based metallurgy.

• +Strong knowledge of metallurgy fundamentals, material specifications, and heat-treatment requirements.
• +CAD / modeling experienced with SOLIDWORKS, NX
• +Experience with X-ray quality structural welding, seal welding, and hard facing overlays.
• +Familiarity with Copper and Nickel based alloys
• +Tooling design experience for welded assemblies to reduce part distortion and improve part consistency
• +Understanding of weld strength testing methodologies, standards, and data acquisition systems used to make informed welding decisions (ASTM E8, E399, E740, ISO 15653, AWS D17.X, AWS C7.X, thermos-couples, strain gages, etc.)
• +Experience with root cause analysis and corrective actions including, but not limited to, optical and SEM fractography/metallography, hardness, chemical analysis, and mechanical testing
• +In depth knowledge of AWS D17.1 and related industry welding codes/standards

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 plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

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.

$156,275 — $171,675 USD

Base Salary

$108,800 — $149,000 USD

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 o