Rocket Lab Corporation
Manufacturing Engineer I - Machining
About this role
Rocket Lab seeks a Manufacturing Engineer to lead machining development for rocket engines, including the established Rutherford engine and the next-generation Archimedes engine. You'll optimize production processes, design tooling, and mentor team members while contributing to cutting-edge space propulsion systems.
What you'll do
- Participate in design reviews as a machining and manufacturability expert
- Select, procure, and maintain machine shop equipment with calibration plans
- Develop in-house machining capabilities for Archimedes engine components
- Design and implement production tooling to improve quality, cost, and delivery
- Lead continuous improvement and cost reduction initiatives in fabrication
- Mentor less experienced engineers and machinists on daily projects
What they're looking for
- CAM software proficiency
- 5-axis CNC equipment operation
- GD&T and inspection methods
- Design for manufacturability
- Tooling design
- 3D CAD software
- Lean/Six Sigma methodologies
- Process mapping and capacity modeling
Benefits
- Work on NASA-supported missions to the Moon and Mars
- Opportunity to develop novel rocket engine manufacturing from the ground floor
- Access to cutting-edge aerospace manufacturing technology
- Mentorship and leadership development opportunities
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Rocket Lab Corporation
Rocket Lab builds spacecraft and satellites that it launches on its own rockets, developing the avionics, flight software, and ground systems needed to operate these vehicles in orbit. The company is hiring software engineers, test automation specialists, and spacecraft operations engineers to develop embedded flight software, design testing systems, and manage satellite fleet health across commercial and government missions.
View all jobs at Rocket Lab CorporationLikely interview questions
- Describe your hands-on machine shop experience and the types of components you've machined.
- How have you approached optimizing a machining process for both quality and cost reduction?