Senior AI&T II/Principal Engineering (Production Manager) - Secret Clearance

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 – all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.  

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. 

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets, we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space, our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR AI&T II/PRINCIPAL ENGINEERING (PRODUCTION MANAGER) - SECRET CLEARANCE

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

We are looking for a Senior AI&T II/Principal Engineering (Production Manager) - Secret Clearance based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ. In this role, you will lead production execution for complex space hardware with a focus on integration, verification, and hardware readiness. You will manage build operations, test flow, material coordination, and team alignment to ensure hardware is delivered on schedule, on budget, and to mission-critical quality standards. You will partner closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and AIT teams to maintain seamless build-to-test transitions and drive continuous improvement across production workflows.

(Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Engineer II or Principal level)

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Lead day-to-day production operations for complex space hardware, ensuring hardware flows efficiently from build through test while maintaining Rocket Lab’s commitment to fierce efficiency and beautiful execution
• Translate program schedules into executable production plans, driving throughput, resolving blockers, and ensuring every build meets quality and delivery commitments
• Lead a multidisciplinary production team (technicians, planners, quality, manufacturing engineers) with clarity, urgency, and accountability, we hustle
• Implement and refine production processes, tooling strategies, and build documentation to continually improve cycle times, first-pass yield, and hardware consistency
• Own production metrics, including schedule performance, labor efficiency, material readiness, and defect trends; execute rapid root-cause and corrective-action processes
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and AIT to ensure alignment across all build stages, we have each other’s back
• Coordinate and lead product reviews, audits, cross-functional standups, and readiness events
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, automation, process simplification, layout optimization, to keep the factory ever evolving and performing at the highest level
• Support customer milestones, major hardware deliveries, and integration events

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS SENIOR ENGINEER II:

• Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility 
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related field
• 8+ years of production or manufacturing experience in aerospace hardware, high-reliability systems, or equivalent complex assemblies
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing production teams or large work cells.
• Strong understanding of production control, build scheduling, configuration management, and hardware traceability
• Proven ability to drive execution, manage bottlenecks, and deliver hardware on schedule

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS PRINCIPAL ENGINEER:

• Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility 
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related field
• 12+ years of production or manufacturing experience in aerospace hardware, high-reliability systems, or equivalent complex assemblies
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing production teams or large work cells
• Strong understanding of production control, build scheduling, configuration management, and hardware traceability
• Proven ability to drive execution, manage bottlenecks, and deliver hardware on schedule.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with Space, DoD, or high-reliability production environments
• Knowledge of electro-optical or sensor payload builds
• Experience implementing lean manufacturing, 5S, Kanban, or similar process-improvement tools
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., Costpoint, SAP)
• Prior experience in Production Management for complex aerospace hardware
• • Excellent communication and team-building skills with the ability to motivate high-performing teams

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• 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
• Ability to support occasional off-shift, weekend, or extended hours during critical build milestones
• Travel as required for supplier visits, integration events, or customer engagements

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.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. 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.