Senior AFP Programmer

Posted 9 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Middle River, MD
7+ Years Experience
Aerospace
The Role
Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior AFP Programmer to work on building large carbon fiber composite fuselage structures for their Neutron Launch Vehicle using cutting-edge technologies and space-grade materials. The role involves being an expert in AFP programming, contributing to design reviews, driving the transition to AFP manufacturing, and mentoring less experienced engineers and technicians.
Summary Generated by Built In

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems. 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 provided reliable access to orbit since 2018, becoming one of the most frequently launched rockets in the world. Neutron will be our next rocket on the launch pad, an advanced 13-tonne payload class, reusable rocket to launch the mega constellations of the future. Our space systems business includes our extensive line of satellites and components that have enabled more than 1,700 missions including the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA Psyche Mission, Artemis I, Mars Ingenuity helicopter, and more.  

Join our pioneering team and launch your career to new heights!

NEUTRON

Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program. If you’re interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re-usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!

SENIOR AFP PROGRAMMER

Rocket Lab is installing the world’s largest post-style automated fiber placement machine (AFP) at our Space Structures Complex in Middle River in order to build large scale components for our new Neutron Launch Vehicle. As a Senior AFP Programmer you’ll get to build some of the largest carbon fiber composite fuselage structures ever made using cutting edge technologies and space grade materials.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

  • Be the Rocket Lab expert in AFP Programming
  • Work with composites/manufacturing Engineering to fully mature our AFP process for manufacturing very large composite parts
  • Contribute to design reviews acting as an expert in AFP Process capability, automation, and all aspects related to AFP manufacturing.
  • Drive the transition to AFP from other traditional composites manufacturing processes
  • Contribute to R&D projects to expand the capabilities of AFP for Rocket Lab
  • Identify risks and improvements to develop the manufacturing engineering department to meet company needs • Develop and mentor less experienced engineers and technicians daily

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

  • High School Diploma or GED
  • 8+ years experience in composites production and programming.
  • Experience in programming large automated equipment
  • Understanding of Composites manufacturing
  • Experience working with cross functional teams to solve hard problems on tight schedules
  • Strong foundation in 3D CAD systems

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

  • Experience working with Electroimpact equipment
  • Experience with Siemens NX / Fibersim
  • Experience with VCP (Vericut Composites Programming)
  • Experience with VCS (Vericut Composites Simulation) 
  • Experience in Automated Fiber Placement technology.
  • Experience both Autoclave and Out-of-Autoclave composite manufacturing techniques.
  • Experience in qualification and acceptance testing of composite structural components.

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.

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 Biow 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.


The Company
HQ: Long Beach, CA
679 Employees
On-site Workplace
Year Founded: 2006

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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