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Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to support the Neutron medium-lift launch vehicle program at Wallops Island, Virginia. Neutron is a highly reusable liquid launch vehicle designed to deliver mega constellations, high-assurance payloads, and enable human spaceflight.
In this role, you will own manufacturing processes, ground support equipment design, and vehicle integration workflows for the Neutron launch vehicle. You'll develop concept-of-operations and design ground support tooling for handling components and integrated stages. You'll create and execute procedures for integrating flight hardware and ground support equipment, working closely with the Integration Manager on 1st and 2nd stage vehicle integration, propellant systems, avionics, and autonomous flight termination systems.
Key responsibilities include: developing and refining inspection, repair, assembly, and system test procedures based on lessons learned; designing vehicle maintenance architecture and build flow for operational efficiency; executing vehicle system-level checkouts for new and flown vehicles; documenting non-conformances and driving system improvements; maintaining integrated planning documents; designing tools and hardware for vehicle processing; developing and maintaining processing facilities; and collaborating with cross-functional teams and technicians.
You'll manage multiple priorities while maintaining focus on project goals and work in a fast-paced environment building real hardware for meaningful space missions.
Required: Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or manufacturing engineering; 5+ years building and testing launch vehicle hardware and associated ground systems; demonstrated proficiency authoring comprehensive work instructions and procedures for assembly, test, and launch; proven ability to interface with multidisciplinary mechanical, electrical, and fluid systems teams.
Preferred: Master's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or manufacturing engineering; experience developing comprehensive work instructions and test procedures; direct experience with launch vehicle hardware and subsystems (avionics, high-pressure gas, structures, electrical, mechanical); experience building and testing complex assemblies at system and subsystem levels; demonstrated project management experience.
