Composites Engineer II/Senior

About The Role

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.

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.

Composites Engineer II/SENIOR

Based at Rocket Lab's site in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Composites Engineers facilitate and optimize production of solar products and sub-systems for a high-growth, high-consequence production environment, ensuring best-practice manufacturing principles are employed to meet stringent deadlines. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

• Work on ground-breaking products and processes.
• Introduce innovative manufacturing equipment and processes to the Production floor.
• Touch a satellite going to space!
• Supporting build of Spacecraft composite structures in a hands-on capacity.
• Practicing continuous improvement and lean manufacturing techniques.
• Managing project timelines.
• Understanding technical and program risks.
• Leading non-conformance and root cause analysis investigations.
• Creating technical documentation.
• Advising on design improvements for components, subsystems, procedures, equipment and tooling.

What You'll Get To Do

• Work on ground-breaking products and processes.
• Introduce innovative manufacturing equipment and processes to the Production floor.
• Touch a satellite going to space!
• Supporting build of Spacecraft composite structures in a hands-on capacity.
• Practicing continuous improvement and lean manufacturing techniques.
• Managing project timelines.
• Understanding technical and program risks.
• Leading non-conformance and root cause analysis investigations.
• Creating technical documentation.
• Advising on design improvements for components, subsystems, procedures, equipment and tooling.

Opportunity for growth

• If you bring experience within a regulated manufacturing industry, this would be advantageous.

Qualifications

• As a Composites Engineer II:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Mechanical, Materials, Manufacturing, Industrial or Aerospace Engineering.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience within a Composites manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of composite materials, manufacturing processes, testing techniques, and design techniques, including prepreg layup, machining, and structural assembly bonding.

• As a Senior Composites Engineer I:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Mechanical, Materials, Manufacturing, Industrial or Aerospace Engineering.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience within a Composites manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of composite materials, manufacturing processes, testing techniques, and design techniques, including prepreg layup, machining, and structural assembly bonding.

Qualifications Would Be Nice to Have

• A can-do approach and flexibility to thrive around growing teams and processes.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proven risk assessment and risk-based decision-making skills.
• Working experience with destructive and non-destructive testing of composite materials and subassemblies.
• Proven ability to deliver KPI’s (with little to no supervision) on schedule, as an individual or as a member of an integrated team.
• Working experience with environmental acceptance/production acceptance testing, such as vibration, shock, thermal and vacuum.
• Knowledge of composite related material properties including resin systems, structural bonding adhesives, and sandwich structures.
• Experience with composite structure repair techniques and processes.
• Experience in manufacturing and assembly of composite structures into larger assemblies.
• Knowledge of production quality metrics.
• Experience with ERP/PLM Systems - Siemens Team Center/Infor LN.
• Knowledge of process qualification theory.

What To Expect

• 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.
• 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.

Important Information

• FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.
• 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.