People Matter

Join the teams that make the Impossible Happen.

About The Role

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 1,500 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.

Based out of Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA the Supplier Quality Engineer II - Mechanical is responsible for ensuring the quality requirements for procured parts (mechanical components), services & processes are achieved.

Working as a liaison between our internal customers and suppliers you are a critical conduit for translating technical requirements into easy and clear specifications that suppliers can achieve. Your exceptional communication and negotiation skills will encourage suppliers to strive for improvement, implement more robust quality processes and drive cost reduction, process efficiency whilst enabling smooth management of the sometimes conflicting priorities between customers & suppliers. The role will also include creation of non-conformance reports, performing supplier audits, managing supplier concessions, and identifying opportunities for improvement to reduce risk, cost, or lead time to Rocket Lab.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

Establish fundamental Supplier Quality systems and processes to drive the business forward
Generate metrics and tools to enhance visibility of supplier performance
Continuous improvement of purchased product quality
Performing on site and remote supplier audits
Creation of internal and external quality control plans
Creation of quality standards, processes, and procedures
Creation of Non-Conformance reports and CAPA management
Performing quality investigations
Identifying processes failures at suppliers
Drive to understand root causes and ensure implementation of corrective actions
Deploying PFMEA tools, techniques & training to support targeted improvement actions
Support suppliers with scaling up their production processes to achieve the future quality cost and delivery targets
Follow-up & verify corrective action implementations and audit findings
Strong focus on quality improvement at source and driving cost reduction opportunities
Working with suppliers to introduce new products into production (NPI, APQP, PPAP)
Liaise between suppliers, development, production, and senior management
Ensure health and safety policies and standard operating procedures are followed at both Rocket Lab and supplier sites

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum 3 years’ experience working in a regulated industry Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, Industrial, or similar
Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering; or other engineering degree
Previous experience in a supplier quality role

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

Exposure to regulatory standards such as AS9100, IS09001, ISO13485, IATF 16949
Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) knowledge
Fabrication, CNC, and 3D printing knowledge
Experience developing KPI’s for performance reporting
Practical experience leading and investigating quality related issues
Experience with Root cause Investigations, Practical Problem solving, 8D’s, 5 Why’s, Fishbone diagrams, Ishikawa and/or similar problem-solving tools
The ability to interpret engineering drawings and geometric dimensions
Experience leading and managing projects
Experience successfully developing and introducing new products to production
Experience with a wide range of specialized technical manufacturing processes
Lean/six sigma experience
NPI/APQP/PPAP experience
Understanding of Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), Gauge R&R

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.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)

$90,000—$103,000 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 fromthe 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.