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.
ROCKET LAB ROBOTICS
Rocket Lab Robotics is developing advanced robotic and automated systems that support Rocket Lab's high-reliability manufacturing, test, and mission-enabling operations. The team brings together engineering, production, supply chain, quality, and operations to build the hardware, tooling, and integrated systems needed to move quickly from concept through production. Based in Pasadena, CA, Rocket Lab Robotics plays a critical role in helping Rocket Lab scale complex electromechanical products with speed, quality, and precision.
SENIOR PRODUCTION PLANNER I
Based onsite at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA, Production Planners are responsible for work order management and production planning for robotics and electromechanical hardware. Production Planners interact with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, and Project Management to plan and manage production schedules, production lead times, yield management, material readiness, and engineering build timelines. Production Planners ensure the Production team has work in queue, the correct priority, and the information and materials needed to build without blockers.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
- Responsible for supply and fulfillment planning within MRP for robotics and electromechanical production work orders.
- Responsible for releasing work orders to Production and kit requests to Inventory.
- Accountable for creating visibility of material position for robotics builds, including line of balance reports, material shortage reports, clear-to-build reports, and related planning tools.
- Responsible for supporting prioritization and expediting subassemblies to support robotics integration and production timelines.
- Understand material demand, configuration accuracy, and build requirements for production and engineering development hardware.
- Work in a cross-functional team environment as a strong team player and demonstrate the ability to work with other functional groups to achieve company-wide goals.
- Responsible for coordinating incoming inspections and ensuring timely receipt and processing of hardware.
- Perform other duties as requested by your manager, relevant to your role.
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5+ years of experience and a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of work experience (9+ years total work experience).
- Proven ability to conduct clear build reviews, and expedite materials through production.
- Knowledge of Production Planning fundamentals for master data management, batch processing, and issue ticket disposition.
- Proficient in MS Office and ERP/MRP systems.
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
- Self-starter who proactively identifies opportunities, drives work forward independently, and requires minimal direction
- Prior experience in robotics, aerospace, EV automotive, high-reliability manufacturing, or other disruptive manufacturing industries.
- Prior experience in a rapid-growth production or engineering development environment.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, bills of material, assembly documentation, and work instructions.
- Experience supporting new product introduction, prototype builds, or low-volume/high-mix production.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize effectively and efficiently across competing production needs.
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.
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.
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
- 5+ years of experience and a Bachelor's degree or equivalent (9+ years total work experience)
- Proven ability to conduct clear build reviews and expedite materials through production
- Knowledge of production planning fundamentals (master data management, batch processing, issue ticket disposition)
- Proficient in MS Office and ERP/MRP systems
- Eligibility to work on ITAR-regulated projects (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee/asylee, or eligible for required authorizations)
- Excellent verbal and written communication abilities
- Self-starter who proactively drives work with minimal direction
- Prior experience in robotics, aerospace, EV automotive, or high-reliability manufacturing
- Experience in rapid-growth production or engineering development environments
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, bills of material, assembly documentation, and work instructions
- Experience supporting new product introduction, prototype builds, or low-volume/high-mix production
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
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 — Health coverage is described as robust, with multiple HMO/PPO options and a 100% company‑sponsored HSA plan alongside dental and vision. Company materials and postings also note life and disability insurance and an overall strong medical offering for U.S. roles.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity participation is emphasized through RSUs and a discounted ESPP with a look‑back feature, positioned as a meaningful part of total rewards. Filings and benefits summaries highlight broad accessibility to ownership programs across many roles.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is outlined as a full suite that includes paid vacation, sick time, paid holidays, and paid parental leave. Some locations also feature supportive extras such as a childcare concierge and onsite amenities.
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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