Senior Avionics Manufacturing Engineer I Verified today
About the Role
Rocket Lab Robotics is seeking a Senior Avionics Manufacturing Engineer I to be based onsite in Pasadena, CA. You will develop, implement, and continuously improve avionics manufacturing processes through working knowledge of EEE piece parts, PCB, PCBA, electromechanical assembly, tooling, test, and quality techniques.
You will work closely with design engineering, production, quality, supply chain, and technicians to translate designs into efficient, repeatable, and well-documented manufacturing processes. You will take ownership of products released to production, remove production blockers, disposition issue tickets, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
What You'll Do
- Work with design engineers to provide solutions for reliability and quality of electromechanical assemblies and test fixtures
- Review fabrication and assembly documentation for flight and production hardware, providing manufacturability feedback to improve build efficiency, reduce risk, and optimize cost
- Develop build methods to increase throughput, reduce error, simplify technician workflows, and improve manufacturability
- Collect, document, and communicate lessons learned from builds to design engineering, manufacturing, quality, and production teams
- Develop and maintain clear work instructions, travelers, test procedures, and visual aids
- Oversee the creation, maintenance, and accuracy of production travelers and manufacturing documentation to ensure traceability and quality compliance
- Maintain integrated planning and build documents that reflect current hardware configurations, work scope, priorities, and production readiness
- Identify and mitigate risks tied to shortages, late drawing release, process planning gaps, and supply constraints
- Analyze and resolve manufacturing discrepancies and non-conformances; collaborate with quality on improvement initiatives
- Develop production procedures and processes with clear documentation for repeatable and reliable manufacturing
- Contribute to and steer design reviews as an expert in design for manufacture and test
Your Background
- Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, aerospace engineering, or similar engineering discipline
- 5+ years of experience in avionics, electrical, or electrical/mechanical focused manufacturing environment
- Knowledge of electronic circuits, design principles, and manufacturing techniques
- Experience developing manufacturing processes, work instructions, or test procedures for complex hardware
- U.S. Citizenship required due to program requirements
Nice to Have
- Experience transitioning products from design to production in a cross-functional, fast-paced, iterative design environment
- Working experience with environmental acceptance and production acceptance testing (vibration, shock, thermal, vacuum)
- Understanding of instrumentation, interfaces, and sensors including power supplies, oscilloscopes, serial devices, switch topologies, accelerometers, thermocouples, RTDs, and 4-20mA sensors
- Experience with DFMEA, PFMEA methodologies, Fault Tree Analysis, Pareto analysis, root cause and corrective action
- Working experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, Lean/Six Sigma, and value stream mapping
- SPC knowledge and statistical methods to track process capability and performance
Compensation
Base Salary: $115,000 to $158,400 USD
Total Compensation (base and equity): $135,475 to $194,075 USD
Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits package includes company stock as part of total compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, zero cost HDHP with 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, 401(k) retirement plan with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers where available, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merch store, and various other employee discounts.
Working Conditions
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.