Junior Manufacturing Engineer

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

Have you recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or similar? 

If so, we are looking for entry level Manufacturing Engineers across multiple disciplines to turn early ideas into manufacturable designs, build and optimise the systems that make them real, and constantly push for faster, better, smarter ways to build rockets.

THE OPPORTUNITIES:

We're hiring across four key manufacturing disciplines:

• Assembly & Integration – Mechanical, Assembly, Propulsion, Mechanical Test
• Avionics & Test – Electronics manufacturing, electrical test, debugging systems
• Composites – Advanced materials, resins, ablatives, sandwich structures
• Machining – CNC programming, precision manufacturing, GD&T

In your application, please indicate which discipline(s) align with your experience and interests.

YOU'LL GET TO:

• Own & Ship:
  • Become the expert on products you help build and launch
  • Help teams hit production goals while maintaining quality
  • Improve existing products and support new designs
• Solve & Fix:
  • Investigate why things fail and implement fixes
  • Make calls on whether parts meet flight standards using engineering analysis
  • Connect production, quality, and design teams to solve problems fast
• Build & Improve:
  • Write clear procedures so production runs smoothly every time
  • Design reliable hardware and test setups
  • Create test methods for critical systems
  • Use Lean/Six Sigma to make things better and faster
• Lead & Scale:
  • Review designs to make sure they're easy to build and test
  • Help launch new products to the factory floor
  • Identify equipment needs and build the business case
  • Set up better systems for planning, quality tracking, and data
• Grow & Deliver:
  • Mentor technicians and newer engineers
  • Break big projects into manageable pieces and ship them
  • Run your own projects with minimal oversight
  • Document wins and lessons learned for the team

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

Core requirements (all disciplines):

• Recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or similar
• Some level of technical experience in a Manufacturing, Production, or Process Engineering environment
• Some hands-on experience solving problems in complex manufacturing systems
• Ability to effectively deliver on complex assignments with autonomy
• Foundational knowledge in complex manufacturing processes
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Can-do approach and flexibility to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Additional discipline-specific experience (one or more of):

• Avionics & Test: Debugging electro-mechanical systems, understanding of instrumentation and sensors
• Composites: Knowledge of advanced composites materials, tooling, and manufacturing processes
• Machining: GD&T and inspection methods, CAM software for 3 and 5-axis CNC machines, 2+ years machine shop experience
• Assembly & Integration: Experience with mechanical assembly, integration, or test processes

BONUS POINTS FOR:

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability manufacturing
• Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma knowledge
• Cross-discipline manufacturing exposure
• Experience with ERP/PLM Systems (Siemens Team Center, Infor LN)
• Knowledge of production quality metrics
• Experience with environmental and production acceptance testing (vibration, shock, thermal, vacuum)
• Understanding of instrumentation, interfaces, and sensors (power supplies, oscilloscopes, serial devices, accelerometers, thermocouples, RTDs, 4-20mA sensors)

EXPECTATIONS

• Provide solutions and ideas when faced with engineering challenges
• Share knowledge on effectiveness of theories and concepts
• Navigate and complete daily tasks within technical systems
• Create and improve technical documentation
• Communicate effectively with peers and contribute to team objectives
• Demonstrate professionalism, punctuality, and adherence to company policies
• Ensure health and safety policies and procedures are followed at all times

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Domestic and international travel may be required
• Additional duties as reasonably required
• Adherence to company policies and procedures is expected

WHAT TO EXPECT 

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 on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.   

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

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.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

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.