Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Composites

ABOUT ROCKET LAB:
Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems. 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 provided reliable access to orbit since 2018, becoming one of the most frequently launched rockets in the world. Neutron will be our next rocket on the launch pad, an advanced 13-tonne payload class, reusable rocket to launch the mega constellations of the future. Our space systems business includes our extensive line of satellites and components that have enabled more than 1,700 missions including the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA Psyche Mission, Artemis I, Mars Ingenuity helicopter, and more.

Join our pioneering team and launch your career to new heights!

ABOUT THE ROLE:
The primary purpose of the Principal Manufacturing Engineer is to facilitate and optimize Production and Launch vehicle system tests for a high-growth production environment, ensuring Manufacturing Principles are practised to meet stringent launch times.

This position will work closely and develop strong relationships with Engineers, Technicians, and subject matter experts across a range of departments to enable the testing and operations of launch vehicles.

Regular activities of the Principal Manufacturing Engineer include coaching junior members of the team on Manufacturing best practices, developing and optimizing processes for Production, and implement new processes through prototyping, test, and integration.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• 10+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment
• Requires a background from 1 of these disciplines:
• Logistics / Supply Chain
• Avionics and/or Electronics
• Composites and/or Materials
• Mechanical and/or Assembly

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering
• Ability to create and deliver accurate presentations for design and manufacturing readiness reviews
• Experience transitioning products from design to manufacturing as part of a cross-functional team in a fast-paced iterative design environment
• Experience modelling with 3D CAD software e.g. Solidworks, Inventor, NX/Unigraphics, Catia
• Working proficiency with DFMEA, PFMEA methodologies and Fault Tree Analysis.
• SPC knowledge and experience applying statistical methods to track process capability.
• Basic competency with SQL databases and SQL programming
• Demonstrated experience designing tooling in a manufacturing environment
• Hands-on with a passion for continuous improvement and building the best hardware
• Capable of solving complex problems with little to no supervision in a timely manner.
• Pareto analysis, root cause and corrective action experience.
• Experience with capacity modelling, process mapping, Lean and continuous improvement principles
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) experience
• Experience supporting production of complex electro-mechanical, mechanical, or composites systems in high volume work centres and/or during production ramp-up
• Has lead major improvement projects. Including Capex, People and process design.
• Proven track record of year on year process improvement activities.
• Has successfully introduced new product to the shop floor having been part of the pre-development design for manufacture process.
• Conducted both process and design FMEAs which has resulted in substantial reduction of risk and design changes.
• Conducted complete system capacity analysis. Able to identify technical solutions to bottlenecks including specification, assessing alternatives, ROI analysis and successful justification in Finance/CAPEX approval process.
• Able to identify new technologies and develop to real shop floor solutions.
• Developed and maintained budgets and forecasts for a major production area of several years.
• Dedicated to adopting a Lean approach without compromising safety or reliability

Salary dependent upon experience: NZD$ 130,000 - NZD$ 152,000

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.