Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Composites

About the Company

Rocket Lab is a full-service space company that provides launch services, spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and related solutions. Its mission is to expand access to space and support programs that advance scientific research, Earth observation, climate action, national security, and new technology demonstrations.

The company’s Electron rocket is now among the most frequently launched U.S. rockets each year and has placed more than 230 satellites into orbit. Rocket Lab is also developing Neutron, a reusable medium-lift launch vehicle built for larger constellation deployments. Its Space Systems division creates satellites, payloads, and components, including hardware chosen for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as parts used in the James Webb Space Telescope.

Role Overview

As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Composites, you will work across both development and production to turn composite structures into stable, repeatable manufacturing processes. The position covers tooling, process creation, on-floor troubleshooting, quality improvement, and the transition from prototype to full-scale production.

You will use platforms such as TeamCenter or Infor LN to manage manufacturing data and workflows, and Siemens NX to support design-to-manufacturing coordination. A major part of the job is identifying and resolving non-conformances, leading root cause analysis, and ensuring corrective actions are effective and permanent.

The ideal candidate understands manufacturing from a systems perspective, is comfortable using DFMEA, PFMEA, Lean, Six Sigma, SPC, and production metrics, and has practical experience with composite materials, tooling, repairs, and assembly into larger systems. The role is best suited to someone who takes ownership, works closely with shop-floor teams, and continuously looks for better ways to build and improve.

Key Responsibilities

This role involves supporting both product maturation and production stability through hands-on engineering leadership.

It includes building tooling and process solutions for composite parts, collaborating with technicians and engineers to address production issues in real time, and leading investigations into quality escapes or process failures. You will also drive improvements in quality, cost, and delivery, create practical work instructions and procedures, and support validation, testing, and implementation of process or product changes.

Data analysis is also central to the role, including using SPC, Pareto analysis, and production metrics to understand performance and guide decisions.

Required Experience and Qualifications

You should bring a background in manufacturing or production engineering, along with experience using ERP/PLM systems such as TeamCenter, Infor LN, or equivalent tools. CAD experience is important, ideally with Siemens NX.

A strong grasp of quality systems, continuous improvement, and structured problem-solving is expected. This includes practical use of DFMEA, PFMEA, and root cause analysis. Familiarity with Lean or Six Sigma methods is also required.

Hands-on experience with composite materials, tooling, and manufacturing processes is essential, along with the confidence to troubleshoot issues and make decisions in a fast-moving environment.

Nice-to-Have Background

Additional value will be given to candidates with experience in aerospace or other high-performance industries. Familiarity with advanced composite materials such as resins, ablatives, and sandwich structures is also desirable.

Experience in composite repairs, assembly into larger systems, capacity modelling, value stream mapping, or process mapping would be an advantage, as would the ability to communicate effectively across both engineering and technician teams.

Working Style and Culture

Rocket Lab describes its environment as one built on hard work, determination, innovation, teamwork, grit, and a willingness to tackle difficult problems. The team is expected to work well under pressure, meet tight deadlines, support one another, and focus on delivering results rather than dwelling on obstacles.

Important Information for United States Candidates

For roles in U.S. offices, employment is subject to export-control requirements under U.S. Government space technology regulations, including ITAR. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or otherwise eligible for the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce, as applicable.

Rocket Lab also states that it provides equal employment opportunity and does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on protected grounds. This applies to all employment terms, including hiring, promotion, leave, compensation, and training. Candidates needing accommodation for the application or interview process for a U.S.-based role should contact the designated support email noted in the source posting.

Important Information for New Zealand Candidates

For New Zealand-based roles, background checks will be completed before any offer is made. These checks include nationality verification because access to certain equipment and data is restricted under U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under those rules, candidates may be ineligible if they do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO member country, or if they have ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.