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Salary: USD 95,200 - 119,000 / annual
Rocket Lab Optical Systems, part of Rocket Lab's Space Systems division, is seeking a Senior Quality Engineer I to support the U.S. Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (Tranche 3). This role is based in Chantilly, VA and focuses on ensuring mission-critical space-based optical and electro-optical systems meet customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements throughout the product lifecycle.
You will develop and execute inspection methods to verify product quality and workmanship, ensuring compliance with internal procedures, customer requirements, and industry standards such as AS9100. Key responsibilities include investigating product and process nonconformances, leading root cause analysis and corrective actions, and managing Nonconformance Reports (NCRs) and Corrective Action Reports. You will provide quality training and guidance to production and engineering teams on workmanship standards, procedures, ESD (electrostatic discharge), and FOD (foreign object debris) controls.
Additional duties include coordinating and documenting calibration activities, maintaining metrology controls, performing inspections and reviewing inspection data, and collecting and analyzing quality data using digital tools such as Power Apps and Power BI. You will develop and maintain dashboards and reports to monitor quality metrics, nonconformance trends, corrective action effectiveness, and process performance. You will participate in internal, customer, and third-party quality audits, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and support test campaigns, supplier activities, and program milestones (with travel as required).
Rocket Lab's Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline
- 5+ years of experience in Quality Engineering or Quality Assurance within a manufacturing environment
- Experience working within a Quality Management System; AS9100 experience strongly preferred
- Strong working knowledge of NCRs, CAPA, MRB/FRB, ESD, and FOD controls
- Experience with inspection and test activities, metrology, and calibration systems
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, including GD&T
- Experience analyzing quality data and presenting metrics using tools such as Power BI, Power Apps, Excel, or similar data visualization platforms
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills
- Ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, production, supply chain, and program teams
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance
- U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent resident status, or eligible to obtain required ITAR authorizations
NICE-TO-HAVE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience supporting spaceflight hardware or optical/electro-optical systems
- ASQ Quality Engineer or Quality Technician certification
- Experience working with suppliers and subcontractors in a regulated environment
- Familiarity with aerospace customer audits and government contracts
- Experience developing or enhancing Power Apps workflows and Power BI dashboards for quality or manufacturing metrics
- Active U.S. Government security clearance
