Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Avionics Verified today
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. The Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit. Rocket Lab is developing Neutron, an upcoming medium-lift reusable launch vehicle. The Space Systems business designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components, including spacecraft selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars.
The Role
You'll help shape the future of ion propulsion systems, supporting products from early-stage R&D through to scaled manufacturing and delivery to orbit. Working in a fast-paced environment where research meets production, you'll contribute across design, testing, process development, and manufacturing optimisation to enable reliable, high-quality propulsion systems at scale.
You'll work across a diverse portfolio of advanced space technologies:
- Ion Propulsion - supporting the transition of next-generation engines from prototype development into scalable production
- Reaction Wheel Production - improving high-volume manufacturing processes for complex mechatronic systems while supporting new product introduction
- Satellite Buses - contributing across short-run builds spanning both design and manufacturing phases, providing broad product lifecycle exposure
This role has a strong technical focus on electrical systems, testing, harnessing, and PCB inspection and validation.
You'll work closely with the Avionics Test and Avionics Manufacturing teams, partnering with engineers, technicians, and stakeholders across the business. The environment is collaborative, hands-on, and internationally diverse, with strong cross-functional engagement and a balance of innovation-driven R&D and production delivery.
What You'll Do
- Develop, implement, and improve quality documentation (procedures, work instructions, inspection records)
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and other methodologies
- Drive process optimisation and waste reduction in manufacturing workflows
- Organize and lead process reviews and audits at an organizational level
- Analyse production and test data to identify trends and implement corrective actions
- Collaborate cross-functionally to improve product quality and performance
- Train and mentor production staff on best practices and quality standards
You'll Bring
- 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, quality, project, or design engineering
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Materials Engineering
- Strong electrical and/or mechanical engineering expertise
- Hands-on experience troubleshooting and resolving non-conformances
- Experience developing, operating, and validating test rigs, systems, and methods
- Strong programming capability for test system development, automation, and data analysis
- Proficiency in Python, C++, SQL, and controls/electrical systems
- Solid understanding of Lean & Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis, Corrective Actions, FMEA, APQP, and Control Plans
- Experience working within Quality Management Systems (QMS)
- Proven ability to make sound engineering decisions and assess technical feasibility
Nice to Have
- Experience with Siemens Teamcenter or Infor LN
- Knowledge of production quality metrics
- Experience transitioning products from prototype to production
- Experience implementing change in compliance-driven environments
- PPS problem-solving experience
Important Information
For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers. For eligibility to access equipment and data regulated by U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or be ineligible for this role if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.