Rocket Lab

Production Supervisor, Composites

Rocket Lab • $77K — $119K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • High school diploma with 5+ years in technical roles, specifically operating in test facilities or industrial plants.
  • Minimum of 1 year leading a team in a production setting.
  • Experience in operations management, including scheduling and facility system maintenance.
  • Familiarity with apprentice-style training processes.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage a team of technicians, ensuring clear responsibilities.
  • Oversee daily and weekly production objectives across work cells.
  • Track team output against delivery targets and manage scheduling.
  • Encourage and implement improvement projects to enhance efficiency and safety standards.
  • Facilitate basic preventative maintenance activities in the facility.
  • Ensure team training compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Oversee knowledge transfer of composite manufacturing practices from New Zealand.

Benefits

  • Company stock options, providing a stake in Rocket Lab's success.
  • Competitive health benefits including top-tier medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Generous paid vacation (3 weeks) and sick leave (5 days) policy, plus 11 paid holidays.
  • Access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions.
  • Employee Stock Purchase Program offering a 15% discount on company stock.
Full Job Description
PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR, COMPOSITES

Based out of Rocket Lab's Space Structures Complex facility in Middle River, Maryland, the Production Supervisor, Composites is responsible for leading the efforts of a production team to build, assemble, and integrate multiple large composite assemblies for the Neutron rocket. This will be a highly influential position with daily responsibility for setting job assignments to meet workflow demands and to drive day by day and hour by hour progress.

As Production Supervisor, Composites, you will be responsible for operational leadership via engagement with the shop floor, supporting design, manufacturing engineering and production. You will be responsible for coordinating a team of composite technicians and overseeing internal and external builds. You will be the pillar for standards amongst the team, setting and inspiring good practices related to process, workmanship, and behavior, ensuring standards are upheld and all AOP deliverables once set are met.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
  • Manage a team of highly qualified technicians to ensure clarity and accountability of responsibilities at our SSC Production Site
  • Manage daily tactical and weekly strategic objectives for several production work cells.
  • Track output of the team against delivery objectives as well as manage capacity planning and schedule of the team
  • Drive and encourage improvement projects and work instruction feedback that decrease touch-time, improve quality, or reduce safety risk
  • Drive basic preventive maintenance across the facility
  • Accountable for the team training and conformance to health and safety policies and procedures, including use of proper PPE
  • Ownership of training for composite technician including knowledge transfer from our New Zealand based training programs
  • Transfer of Manufacturing Technologies from New Zealand Composites manufacture and known how into Maryland

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
  • High school diploma and 5+ years of experience as an operating technician in test facilities, industrial plants, or other technical environments
  • 1+ year of team leadership experience in a production environment
  • Experience with operations management, including daily scheduling, building, operating, and maintaining complex facility systems
  • Experience with apprentice-style training programs

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
  • Associate's degree or bachelor's degree in a technical discipline
  • A&P License or Composites Technical Apprenticeship
  • Experience preferred in fast-paced production environment working in a similar type of test facility
  • Ability to read, understand, and follow manufacturing instructions and drawings
  • Knowledge of safety processes and experience with handling hazardous goods and materials
  • Proven ability to align capacity to development and production forecasts
  • Proven ability to manage resources to meet expected test rate increases
  • Experience implementing techniques of lean manufacturing
  • Proficient with computers, the ability to use MS Office, shop floor management software (ERP/MES) and related programs

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Willing to work weekend shift (Friday - Sunday, 3 x 12's)
  • Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching may be required to perform the functions of this position
  • Able to lift up to 25lbs. unassisted
  • Must be able to climb ladders and be comfortable working in tight spaces.
  • Must be able to move repetitively, bend or twist, and use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
  • Must be able to walk or stand for extended periods - 8 hours min
  • Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and being able to maneuver in tight spaces


Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match, and free snacks/drinks onsite.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$87,675-$154,675 USD

Base Salary

$77,600-$119,000 USD

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.

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a private American aerospace manufacturer and small satellite launch service provider. The company was founded in 2006 by New Zealander Peter Beck. Rocket Lab's Electron rocket is designed to launch small payloads of up to 300 kg into low Earth orbit. The company has launched several successful missions and has contracts with NASA and other organizations. Rocket Lab has raised over $200 million in funding and has offices in the United States and New Zealand.
Learn more about Rocket Lab
Size
500 employees
Market Cap
$1.6 billion
Industry
Founded
2006
NASDAQ

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