Manufacturing Engineer - Nightshift

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.  

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. 

Manufacturing Engineering powers Rocket Lab's factories from concept to full-scale production. We're seeking Manufacturing Engineers across multiple disciplines for our late shift to turn early ideas into manufacturable designs, build and optimize the systems that make them real, and constantly push for faster, better, smarter ways to build rockets.

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

• 4-Day Week (Mon–Thurs) | Late Start | Long Weekends, Every Week
• Hours: 3:00 PM – 1:30 AM

• 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

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or similar
• 0-5 years of technical experience in a Manufacturing, Production, or Process Engineering environment
• 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

• 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

• 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)

• 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

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

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.