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Rocket Lab Corporation • Middle River, Maryland, United States
Salary: 100% compa
Role & seniority: Lead Engineer, Tooling Test & Infrastructure (leadership/manager level)
Stack/tools: Mechanical/aerospace/manufacturing engineering; 3D CAD; tooling design; production tooling; ground support equipment (GSE); test planning and qualification; design for manufacturing/test; Lean/value-stream concepts (nice-to-have)
Manage and mentor a team of engineers/technicians for tooling, GSE, and test for the Neutron launch vehicle
Lead production tooling design, GSE/interface design for test, transport, integration, and coordination of qualification tests and structural tests
Coordinate with structures, facilities, operations, and other stakeholders; oversee training plans, capital projects, planning, and design reviews; drive design for manufacture/test and productivity improvements
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing engineering or related field
5+ years of manufacturing experience in a highly regulated environment
Demonstrated leadership/people-management experience
Capacity modeling, process mapping, Lean manufacturing, value-stream mapping
Tooling/structures design pedigree; 3D CAD tooling design experience
Experience with composite materials, large structural assemblies; experience leading diverse teams
Change management and conflict resolution skills
Location & work type: Middle River, MD; on-site, full-time, production/facility e
ABOUT ROCKET LAB 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 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. Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. NEUTRON Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program. If you’re interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re-usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity! LEAD ENGINEER, TOOLING TEST & INFRASTRUCTURE We are currently seeking a Lead Engineer for our Tooling, Test, and Infrastructure team based out of Rocket Lab's newest Space Structures Complex production facility in Middle River, MD. The Lead Engineer will be responsible for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of tooling, GSE, and test for the Neutron Launch Vehicle.
Production tooling: how we massively scale the production of Neutron and create mechanical tools which allow us to increase assembly accuracy, reduce set-up times, minimize crane use, etc.
Ground Support Equipment: design of equipment that interfaces with the vehicle for test, transport, and integration
Test: engineering coordination of qual tests and structural tests.
Manage facility-wide constraints
Develop appropriate training plans to ensure technicians are qualified to perform the expected tasks
Major capital projects to introduce new production techniques as we scale production
Contribute to design reviews acting as an expert in design for manufacture, design for test, productivity, supplier capability assessments, quality control, etc.
Develop and mentor less experienced engineers and technicians
Ensure robust planning, including project schedules
Performance management for engineers on the team
Recruiting where needed for additional engineers