Manufacturing Engineer Avionics, Manager

Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a vertically integrated provider of small launch services, satellites, and spacecraft components. Our mission is to open access to space to improve life on Earth. Our team is over 1,300 people strong and we’re adding to it every week. Collaboration is at our core – every idea is heard, and everyone makes a difference. Teams are nimble, decisions are made quickly, and we are action oriented.

Manufacturing Engineer Avionics, Manager 

As the Manufacturing Engineer Avionics, Manager for Rocket Lab’s Avionics programs, you’ll play a pivotal role in technology development and platform development for high performance missions for Space Systems, Electron, and Neutron products/customers. You will need to maintain and expand a high performing team to strongly collaborate with the development team and take complete ownership of the product development, manufacturing and testing programs.

What you'll get to do:

Leadership

• Coach, mentor and develop engineers to achieve new heights in their careers.
• Perform weekly, quarterly and yearly reviews with their direct employees
• Interview and hire candidates to fill new roles
• Create team goals and metrics to drive continuous improvement projects
• Lead/organize meetings as necessary to drive project completion

Design for Manufacture:

• 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 Space Systems products and Electron/Neutron Avionics.

Process, Tooling & Equipment:

• Provide Engineering support for day-to-day production processes
• Complete analysis and identify improvements for production safety, quality, delivery and cost
• 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 appropriate to improve quality, delivery and/or cost performance

Quality:

• When required, lead problem containment and structured root cause & corrective action investigations
• Quickly analyze and resolve manufacturing discrepancies and non-conformances
• Interface with the quality team to resolve manufacturing engineering quality responsibilities
• Liaise between production, quality, supply chain and design engineering staff for complex problem solving and process changes

Continuous Improvement:

• Identify, plan, and execute capital equipment, machine, and layout upgrades to the meet volume requirements including preparation of business cases
• Lead the continuous improvement process in your area using lean tools and techniques such as 5S
• 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

You'll bring these qualifications: 

• 4-year engineering degree (Preferably Electrical, or Aerospace)
• 7+ years’ of experience in a satellite/avionics design, development, manufacturing and test environment.
• Experience developing, implementing, and continuously improving avionics processes through strong working knowledge of EEE piece parts, PCB, PCBA, electromechanical assembly, tooling, test, and quality techniques.

These qualifications would be nice to have: 

• Have a successful track record coaching, mentoring, and developing engineers with different levels of experience
• Have expert capability to execute projects for product, process and equipment manufacturing improvements including the design, build, commissioning and production hand-off
• Have expert knowledge in manufacturing processes for space systems, avionics and aerospace materials including but not limited to soldering, cleaning, solar panel production, vibration testing, thermal testing, RF testing, radiation testing.
• Have performed root cause and corrective action projects and PFMEA / DFMEA of complex manufacturing processes and products

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the California Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. 

In addition to base salary, Rocket Lab offers a comprehensive total compensation offer package based on individual qualifications and experience, including company stock. Employees will also be eligible for medical, dental, vision coverage, 401(k) retirement plan options, and to purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab's Employee Stock Purchase Program.

Pay Range (CA Only)

$120,000—$150,000 USD

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S Department of State.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant.  These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations. 

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.  For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.