Senior Quality Technician

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.

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 QUALITY TECHNICIAN

Based out of Rocket Lab’s new site in Albuquerque, NM as part of the SolAero Technologies acquisition, the Senior Quality Technician supports all aspects of product quality assurance for assigned product lines. This role is responsible for ensuring that all purchased raw materials, substrates, metals, and components meet specification requirements before release to downstream production. The Senior Quality Technician will perform incoming inspection, laboratory testing, and documentation review on assigned material commodities, and will work closely with manufacturing, engineering, and quality teams to prevent nonconforming material from entering production.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO: 

• Perform receiving inspection of semiconductor materials and components using approved procedures and sampling plans (e.g., ANSI/ASQ Z1.4, c=0).
• Inspect materials such as Germanium and GaAs substrate wafers, coverglass, adhesives, interconnects, aerospace electrical components, and precious metals.
• Conduct laboratory measurements and inspections, including surface defect, particle, and contamination inspection (optical microscopy, high-intensity light inspection), and dimensional inspection (calipers, micrometers, height gauges, optical comparators, vision systems).
• Verify supplier Certificates of Conformance (CoC) and Certificates of Analysis (CoA) against purchase order requirements, material specifications, and drawings, including lot traceability, shelf-life, and expiration dates.
• Perform First Article Inspection (FAI) on new or changed purchased parts, as required (AS9102 format).
• Conduct visual and packaging inspections to verify proper labeling, handling, ESD protection, and contamination-free packaging.
• Disposition incoming lots (accept, reject, or quarantine) and update material status in the ERP/MES system.
• Identify, tag, and segregate nonconforming material. Initiate Nonconformance Reports (NCRs) and support Material Review Board (MRB) activities.
• Support counterfeit and suspect material prevention per company procedures.
• Record inspection and test results accurately in quality databases and maintain inspection records for full lot traceability.
• Assist in writing and revising inspection instructions, test methods, and sampling plans.
• Deploy the Quality Management System as it applies to scope of work.
• Exercise authority to implement protocols, reject or quarantine material, recommend improvements, and stop processes that threaten employee wellbeing or when a nonconformance is found

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS: 

• High school diploma.
• 8+ years of manufacturing experience, or direct quality-related experience.
• Experience with quality assurance processes.
• Familiarity with ISO-9001 and/or QS-9000, metrology equipment, and engineering drawing concepts or GD&T.
• Exposure to design and manufacturing environments and implementation of protocol.
• Detail-oriented, with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, and memos; write simple correspondence.
• Proficiency in basic math (add, subtract, multiply, divide, compute rate, ratio, percent, and interpret bar graphs).
• Computer proficiency.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with semiconductor or aerospace materials inspection.
• Familiarity with ERP/MES systems.
• Experience with AS9102 First Article Inspection.
• Exposure to cleanroom protocols and NASA Vision exam requirements.
• Experience supporting counterfeit and suspect material prevention programs.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Stand and walk for entire shift (8+ hours) on various work surfaces
• Climb ladders and work at elevated height small spaces, awkward positions, and tight areas as needed
• Perform repetitive motions including bending, twisting, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling, and stooping
• Use hands with precision to handle, control, and operate tools, instruments, and equipment 
• Lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment up to 25 lbs.
• Work in varied environments including production floors, equipment areas, and field locations with exposure to noise, temperature variations, and moving machinery
• Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and varied shifts as operational needs require

#RL1

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.