LEAD, MANUFACTURING ENGINEER

Based out of Rocket Lab's site Sinclair Interplanetary in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, this role reports to the engineering manager and is responsible for leading the manufacturing team to improve efficiency and yield in the production of ADCS components for satellites. The successful candidate will have prior experience in a high-reliability manufacturing environment with a focus on continuous improvement, design for manufacture, and six-sigma methodology in aerospace or a similar industry.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Learn and document established and new manufacturing procedures
• Create and maintain bill of materials
• Create and maintain work instructions for mechanical and electrical technicians
• Continuously improve manufacturing volume and efficiency through refinement of processes, procedures, facilities, and space
• Research, source, and document proposals for equipment, workstations, and manufacturing methods. Implements solution when approved.
• Provide DFM review to new product designs
• Analyze and resolve manufacturing discrepancies and non-conformances. Where necessary, lead root cause analyses and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct studies to estimate schedule and cost for various production efforts.
• Train production personnel on new and existing processes, procedures, and equipment.
• Progress alignment of local business processes with those of the global business

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace or any relevant engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing environment
• Experience managing a team and mentoring junior team members
• Direct experience with some or all of the following quality tools: Lean principles, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action, Metrology, Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Control Plans, and Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Knowledge of mechanical processing and assembly (machining, 3D printing, coating)
• Knowledge of electronics manufacturing (soldering, dipping, inspection, rework)
• Familiarity with environmental testing (electromagnetic, thermal, vibration, vacuum, shock)

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Master's degree in engineering, or equivalent
• Experience designing or manufacturing hardware for space-based systems
• Exposure to, or experience with, Infor LN, PowerBI and SQL interfaces
• Python and/or SQL programming skills
• Experience with time studies, lay-out improvement
• Familiarity with best practices for working in cleanroom/cleanbench environments
• Familiarity with best practices for working with ESD-sensitive hardware
• Highly organized and able to solve problems independently with strong attention to detail
• Able to collaborate effectively with team members having diverse skills sets and expertise
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Availability outside of normal business hours and/or weekends as dictated by the programs and customers' location/time zone.
• This is a fully in-person position requiring presence in the office 5 days a week.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings.
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise.

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. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other's backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. 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.