Lead, 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. SPACE SYSTEMS At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions. LEAD, MANUFACTURING ENGINEER As a Lead, Manufacturing Engineer based at Rocket Lab’s site in Silver Spring, Maryland, you will lead a team dedicated to transforming innovative spaceflight mechanism concepts, specifically separation systems, into manufacturable designs. You will play a critical role in designing, building and optimizing the systems and processes that bring these ideas to life while continuously driving improvements for faster, better, smarter ways to build. In this role, you will focus on improving manufacturing processes through feasibility studies, supporting product design for manufacturability, and leading factory setup and optimization. This position involves troubleshooting production issues, collaborating with cross-functional teams, driving process improvements, and supporting organizational efficiencies through change management and business system enhancements. To excel in this role, you must be a detail-oriented leader, self-motivated, and capable of working both independently and collaboratively. Lead a passionate team that’s tackling complex challenges, delivering on exciting missions, and making an impact on the future of space! WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO: • Lead and manage a team of Manufacturing Engineers, providing mentorship, guidance and performance management to achieve team and organizational goals. • Conduct feasibility studies and research and development projects to evaluate and implement advanced manufacturing technologies. • Partner with Product Development teams to incorporate Design for Manufacturing principles into separation systems ensuring manufacturability at scale. • Design, procure, install, and validate production lines and factory systems for assembly, testing and verification of spaceflight mechanisms. • Take engineering ownership of production lines to remove blockers, improve yield and increase build efficiency. • Triage and diagnose production issues, conduct root cause analyses, implement corrective actions to mitigate risks and ensure long-term reliability. • Drive continuous improvements across manufacturing and test. • Contribute to change management, assessing risk and impact of design process changes. • Support business system and process improvements to enhance organizational effectiveness and operational efficiency. YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS: • B.S. in Engineering • 5+ years of relevant work experience in Manufacturing, Production, or Process Engineering • Proven hands-on experience proactively identifying and solving complex multifaceted problems in manufacturing systems • Demonstrated experience with designing, implementing and supporting production lines • Track record of successfully leading teams to achieve technical and operational goals • Familiarity with typical aerospace mechanical fabrication techniques, materials, and surface finishes • Demonstrated experience with DFMEA, PFMEA methodologies, Fault Tree Analysis, Pareto analysis, root cause and corrective action methodologies THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: • 8+ years of experience in production or manufacturing engineering • 1+ years managing or leading teams • Experience with capital and facilities justification, project management and implementation • Experience transitioning products from design to production as a part of cross-functional team in a fast-paced, iterative design environment ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: • Ability to travel up to 10% of the year This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance. Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company. Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 7 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company matc