Production Engineer I

About The Role

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

PRODUCTION ENGINEER I

As a Production Engineer based at Rocket Lab’s site in Albuquerque, New Mexico, you will be part of a team responsible for process improvements, yield and day to day sustaining work in the solar cell (III-V semiconductors) and silicon-based production processes. In this role you will take ownership of Photolithography systems (Coat/Expose/Develop) and the associated metrology. To be successful in this role, you must be data driven and possess a high degree of area ownership. You will need to be able to build solid relationships across all levels of the company, this includes operators on the production floor, equipment maintenance personnel, and R&D engineers. In this role you will join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Support sustaining activities to maximize yield and productivity of fab operation across work centers in the litho area
• Work with Operations/Equipment Maintenance/Process Technician/R&D Teams to maximize project success
• Own Photolithography process modules: responding to defect issues (with periodic/frequent yield reporting), writing clear work instructions, oversee operator training
• Plan and perform experiments to improve safety/yield/reliability/throughput. Includes assisting R&D when new products or experiments are needed
• Scoping and procurement of new equipment and process approaches for new products and manufacturing expansion

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering field

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with Photolithography systems and associated metrology
• Breadth of wafer fab (III-V and/or Si) knowledge
• Solid understanding of statistical methods with a working knowledge of JMP and SQL
• Experience with Photolithography processing modules, including metal lift-off, and photochemical interactions with wet and dry etch
• Understanding of solar cell device physics and testing methods
• Solid understanding of metallurgy and material science
• Familiarity with quality/manufacturing methods such as SPC, OCAP, 8D problem solving techniques, FMEA, RCCA etc.

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. 

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 View email address on us.fitly.work 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.