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Salary: USD 100,000 - 138,000 / annual
Rocket Lab is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer II to lead turbopump assembly development for the Archimedes engine at their Long Beach headquarters. This role bridges engineering and production, focusing on process development, design for manufacturability, tooling design, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment.
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop and document engineering processes related to turbopump assembly and engine manufacturing
- Contribute to design reviews as a manufacturing expert, advising on design for manufacture, machining, quality, and productivity
- Design, develop, and implement production tooling and equipment to improve quality, delivery, and cost performance
- Lead continuous improvement and cost reduction initiatives
- Collaborate with propulsion assembly technicians on alignment, capability, and operational support
- Perform value stream mapping, method of manufacture planning, and production cell design
- Implement factory layouts, select equipment, and oversee factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and production commissioning
- Develop and document production processes, testing procedures, health and safety requirements, and supervisor sign-offs
- Interface with quality teams to resolve manufacturing issues and lead root cause and corrective action investigations when needed
- Drive continuous improvement using lean tools and techniques such as 5S
You will support the Director of Manufacturing Engineering and Production, with deliverables for internal leadership, the board of directors, and investors. The role involves working on both Rutherford and Archimedes engines, with primary focus on turbopump assembly for Archimedes.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing engineering, or similar engineering discipline
- 2+ years of experience in a heavy development manufacturing environment
- Understanding of fluid and structural mechanics fundamentals
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes for aerospace materials
NICE-TO-HAVE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Advanced engineering degree
- Experience with design, testing, and development of turbopumps or similar turbomachinery
- Experience contributing to and steering design reviews with technical expertise in design for manufacture, test, and assembly
- Proficiency in GD&T and inspection methods
- Working experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, Lean/Six Sigma, and value stream mapping
- Experience with 3D CAD software and tooling design
Note: This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. ITAR compliance required: must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Commerce.
