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 to 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.
NEUTRON
Rocket Lab’s Neutron team is responsible for bringing our new large rocket, Neutron and its launch and test sites to life. From designing and testing Neutron’s structures and components, to firing up its new Archimedes engines, to setting up Neutron’s launch pads and test sites across the United States, joining the Neutron team is your opportunity to help launch a new large rocket for the very first time.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
As a Configuration Management Engineer, you will deliver cross-functional support to teams to align Neutron’s portfolio of products with the program’s strategy, requirements, operations, and technical maturity phases. This role is based in Auckland, New Zealand.
Join a driven team that’s tackling challenging projects, delivering on exciting missions, and making an impact on the future of space!
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
- Develop our systems and collaborate with affected teams to ensure the manufacturing and integration teams know what we should build and when to build it.
- Identify opportunities to improve the Neutron project’s processes and software tools to ensure that we know what we have built and we have confidence that it was built correctly.
- Drive our Engineering Change Management process (ECM) by collaborating closely with systems engineering, design, manufacturing, quality, supply chain teams, and production teams to facilitate effective design changes.
- Establish, guide, and maintain our engineering and manufacturing bill of materials (EBOM, MBOM) to ensure our master data remains up to date, and the team is aligned across a common set of release targets for both development testing and our flight manifest
- Contribute to planning and project coordination across the program to implement design changes and process improvement activities.
- Provide configuration status reporting to show compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.
- Proactively identify and solve technical challenges to allow projects to proceed at pace.
- Define and uphold high-quality engineering processes
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (or equivalent experience)
- 2+ years' industry experience applied to a relevant technical field (i.e., Structures, Fluid Systems, Mechanisms, Propulsion)
- Demonstrated experience in delivering complex multidisciplinary systems consisting of fluid systems, structures, mechanisms, and/or propulsion with a broader awareness of other launch vehicle disciplines such as avionics hardware, avionics software, GNC, and/or Radio Communications.
- Proven track record of collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to guide projects from concept to completion.
- Proven communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues and engineering professionals
- The ability to work to tight deadlines within a high-pressure environment
- Strong aptitude to learn new material to solve difficult, ambiguous challenges.
- Working knowledge of Engineering design, CAD (preferably Teamcenter and NX), Engineering drawings, and manufacturing processes
- Strong understanding of the Engineering Change Process and associated Configuration Management
- PDM and other CAD file database experience
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Project Management experience
- Working knowledge of SQL Databases
- ERP Experience
- Power BI data visualization
If the above sounds like you, apply now!
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 [email protected] 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering or equivalent experience
- 2+ years industry experience in Structures, Fluid Systems, Mechanisms, or Propulsion
- Experience delivering complex multidisciplinary systems (fluid systems, structures, mechanisms, propulsion)
- Proven cross-functional collaboration guiding projects from concept to completion
- Strong communication skills and ability to build working relationships with engineers
- Ability to work to tight deadlines in high-pressure environments
- Strong aptitude to learn new material to solve ambiguous challenges
- Working knowledge of engineering design, CAD (preferably Teamcenter and NX), engineering drawings, and manufacturing processes
- Strong understanding of the Engineering Change Process and configuration management
- PDM and CAD file database experience
- Project management experience
- Working knowledge of SQL databases
- ERP experience
- Power BI data visualization experience
Rocket Lab Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Rocket Lab and has not been reviewed or approved by Rocket Lab.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision coverage with multiple plan options are offered, including a company‑sponsored HSA plan option and supportive ancillary benefits. These elements portray comprehensive healthcare support for U.S. roles.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An employee stock purchase program with discounted share access and a look‑back feature, alongside eligibility for equity, is presented as a strong component of total rewards. This structure can meaningfully augment cash pay for those who value long‑term upside.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid vacation, sick time, holidays, and paid parental leave are included. These provisions indicate a complete time‑off offering for a midsize aerospace employer.
Rocket Lab Insights
What We Do
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, spacecraft components, satellites and other spacecraft and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle and the Photon satellite platform and is developing the Neutron 8-ton payload class launch vehicle. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered 100+ satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft platform has been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a second launch site in Virginia, USA which is expected to become operational in late 2022. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.
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