Rocket Lab USA
Aerospace & DefenseDirect Greenhouse career site

Manufacturing Engineer II - TPA

Pay
$100,000 – $156,000 per year
Location
Long Beach, CA · On-site
Job type
Full-time
Level
Senior
Experience
2+ years
Education
Bachelor's degree
Listed
23 days ago

Skills & highlights for this role

  • ITAR eligibility
  • GD&T
  • design for manufacture
  • value stream mapping
  • aerospace materials manufacturing processes

Also useful

  • Lean/Six Sigma
  • 3D CAD
  • FAT/SAT commissioning

Engineering

Engineering is at the heart of Rocket Lab. Our engineering team has a proven track record of designing and developing world-class rockets and spacecraft that are changing the way we access and use space. You'll work alongside driven, talented engineers from varied backgrounds and experience levels, all committed to the same mission. Our engineering team members span design, analysis, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, assembly and integration, quality control, engineering documentation, and more.

Manufacturing Engineer Ii - Turbopump Assembly

Based out of Rocket Lab's Headquarters for Long Beach, CA the Manufacturing Engineer II is responsible for the development of new products and product revisions as related to both Rutherford and Archimedes engines. This role will have primary responsibility over the turbopump assembly for the Archimedes engine. You will support the Director of Manufacturing Engineering and Production organization, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.

What You'll Get to Do

  • Contribute to engineering process development and documentation at Rocket Lab related to areas of experience
  • Contribute to design reviews acting as an expert in design for manufacture, design for machining, productivity, quality control, etc.
  • Design, develop, and implement tooling and equipment for use in a production environment where appropriate to improve quality, delivery and/or cost performance
  • Responsible for continuous improvement and cost reduction projects
  • Collaborate with propulsion assembly technicians for general alignment, capability, and support
  • Perform initial Value Stream Mapping Exercises, Method of Manufacture plans, cell design, etc.
  • Implement Factory layouts, Equipment selection, FAT, SAT, and production commissioning
  • Develop production processes and ensure they are accurately and clearly documented, including testing procedures, health and safety requirements and supervisor signoffs
  • Interface with the quality team to resolve manufacturing engineering quality responsibilities, and when required, lead problem containment and structured root cause & corrective action investigations
  • Lead the continuous improvement process in your area using lean tools and techniques such as 5S

You'll Bring These Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing engineering, or similar engineering discipline
  • 2+ years of experience in a heavy development manufacturing environment
  • Understanding of fluid and structural mechanics fundamentals
  • Knowledge in manufacturing processes for aerospace materials

These Qualifications Would Be Nice to Have

  • Advanced engineering degree
  • Experience with design, testing and development of turbopumps or similar turbomachinery
  • Experience contributing to and steering design reviews and provide technical expertise in support of design for manufacture, test, and assembly
  • Well versed in GD&T and inspection methods
  • Working experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, Lean/Six Sigma and value stream mapping
  • Experience with 3D CAD software and tooling design

Additional information

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas

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

Pay and benefits

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 plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

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) $136,000—$156,000 USD
  • Base Salary $100,000—$138,000 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.

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.

Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

For Candidates Seeking to Work in New Zealand Offices Only

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

Read the original posting

From Rocket Lab USA's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on October 17, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.

How Rolev.ai helps with this application

Rolev.ai is a job search and application tool for US job seekers. For this Manufacturing Engineer II - TPA role at Rocket Lab USA, it shows how your resume fits, tailors your resume to the posting, and prepares the application for you to review.

  • See how you fit

    Openings from employer career sites are ranked against your whole resume—and searchable inside Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor via Rolev.ai MCP.

  • Tailor without inventing

    Every change to your resume is checked against your original. New experience goes in only with your yes—zero fabricated claims.

  • Draft the full kit

    Tailored and Full Match resumes, role-specific cover letters, and answers to employer screening questions are prepared in seconds.

  • 1-Click Extension Autofill

    The Chrome extension fills the employer's Greenhouse, Workday, Lever, or Ashby form in 1 click. You review it and press Submit.

Common questions

What is the salary for the Manufacturing Engineer II - TPA role at Rocket Lab USA?

The Manufacturing Engineer II - TPA posting at Rocket Lab USA states compensation of $100,000 – $156,000 per year. It is listed as a full-time position. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on Rocket Lab USA's official career site.

Where is the Manufacturing Engineer II - TPA job at Rocket Lab USA located?

This Manufacturing Engineer II - TPA position at Rocket Lab USA is located in Long Beach, CA (On-site). Always check Rocket Lab USA's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.

What qualifications are required for Manufacturing Engineer II - TPA at Rocket Lab USA?

For the Manufacturing Engineer II - TPA role, Rocket Lab USA highlights 2+ years of relevant experience; a bachelor's degree; experience with GD&T, design for manufacture, value stream mapping, aerospace materials manufacturing processes. Rolev.ai can score your existing resume against these requirements and show any skill gaps before you apply.

How do I apply for the Manufacturing Engineer II - TPA position at Rocket Lab USA?

This listing links directly to Rocket Lab USA's Greenhouse application page. You can apply directly on Rocket Lab USA's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Greenhouse application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.