Lead, Avionics Manufacturing Engineer

Position Overview

As the Lead Manufacturing Engineer – Avionics at Rocket Lab, you are a key driver in the process development, implementation, and sustainment of avionics components and assemblies across all programs. Working from Rocket Lab’s headquarters in Long Beach, CA, you will collaborate with manufacturing, production, and design teams to translate innovative engineering designs into robust, production-ready processes that deliver on time and within budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Coach, mentor, and develop engineers to achieve new heights in their careers.
• Conduct weekly, quarterly, and yearly performance reviews.
• Interview and hire candidates to fill new roles while creating team goals and metrics for continuous improvement.
• Lead and organize meetings to drive project completion and contribute expert insight during design reviews.
• Oversee the introduction and implementation of new product designs, including value stream mapping, process layouts, equipment selection, and production commissioning.
• Lead problem containment and structured root cause & corrective action investigations using lean tools and techniques such as 5S.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Engineering (Preferably Electrical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or Mechanical).
• 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven personnel leadership experience.
• Strong working knowledge of EEE piece parts, PCB, PCBA, electromechanical assembly, tooling, test, and quality techniques.
• Extensive experience applying fundamentals of electronic circuits, design principles, and manufacturing techniques to resolve component issues efficiently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced engineering degree (Preferably Electrical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or Mechanical).
• 8+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with environmental acceptance/production testing (vibration, shock, thermal, and vacuum).
• Understanding of instrumentation, interfaces, and sensors including power supplies, oscilloscopes, and various sensor technologies.
• Proven experience designing, implementing, and supporting production lines or build areas and transitioning products from design to production using DFMEA, PFMEA, Fault Tree Analysis, or Pareto analysis.

Benefits & Perks

• Base Salary Range (CA Only): $115,000—$155,000 USD.
• Total Rewards Package: Includes company equity and a comprehensive benefits package featuring top tier medical HMO, PPO, and a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option, along with dental and vision coverage.
• 3 weeks paid vacation, 5 days sick leave per year, and 11 paid holidays.
• Additional perks such as flexible spending accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Other benefits include a discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, and complimentary food and drinks.