New

Senior Quality Engineer II

Rocket Lab USA
United States, Arizona, Tucson
Dec 18, 2025
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 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 rockethas 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. 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. SENIOR QUALITY ENGINEER II Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains. As a Senior Quality Engineer II based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will play a critical role in ensuring the highest levels of quality, reliability, and mission assurance for advanced space payload programs. In this role, you will lead program-level quality activities, review and implement contractual and technical requirements, and ensure effective quality flow-down to internal teams, suppliers, and subcontractors. 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: Act as the quality assurance and mission assurance representative for assigned space programs, ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal requirements Lead program-level quality planning, execution, and oversight across design, manufacturing, integration, and test phases Review customer contracts, statements of work (SOWs), and technical requirements to identify applicable quality, mission assurance, and regulatory requirements Ensure effective flow-down of contractual, quality, and mission assurance requirements to internal implementation through procedures, work instructions, inspection plans, and test documentation Review, define, and approve quality and mission assurance flow-downs for suppliers and subcontractors through purchase orders, subcontracts, quality clauses, and quality notes Partner with Supply Chain, Contracts, Engineering, and Program Management to ensure subcontractor SOWs and PO packages include complete and compliant quality requirements Verify supplier and subcontractor implementation of flowed-down requirements through audits, source inspections, NCR/RCCA activity, and performance monitoring Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions using structured methodologies such as 8D, Fishbone, and 5-Why Lead and support risk management activities, including FMEA and program risk assessments Support and participate in internal, external, customer, and regulatory audits (AS9100, ISO 9001, customer audits) Develop, maintain, and utilize Power BI dashboards to analyze and communicate quality performance, trends, risks, and program health metrics (e.g., NCR trends, RCCA aging, FPY, supplier performance) Support and leverage Power Apps and SharePoint-based tools to standardize, automate, and improve quality workflows such as NCRs, RCCAs, inspections, approvals, and data collection Prepare and present program quality status, mission assurance metrics, and risk summaries to internal leadership and external customers Mentor junior quality engineers and promote a quality-first, data-driven culture across the organization Support continuous improvement initiatives and other quality-related tasks as assigned Support integration, environmental, and qualification test campaigns by providing quality and mission assurance oversight before, during, and after test execution Review and approve test readiness artifacts, quality requirements, and acceptance criteria to ensure compliance prior to test start Participate in on-site and off-site test campaigns as required to support mission assurance, anomaly resolution, and data review Travel as required to support test campaigns, supplier activities, audits, source inspections, and program milestones Perform other duties as assigned in support of quality strategy, compliance, and cross-functional program execution YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS: Active U.S. Government Secret security clearance Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, or a related technical discipline 8+ years of experience in quality engineering within aerospace, defense, or space systems Strong working knowledge of AS9100, mission assurance principles, and aerospace quality systems Demonstrated experience reviewing contracts, SOWs, and customer requirements and supporting effective requirement flow-down to internal teams and external suppliers or subcontractors Proven experience leading root cause analysis, corrective actions, and risk management activities Experience with supplier and subcontractor quality management, audits, and performance metrics Experience using Power BI to develop or interpret quality dashboards and performance metrics Experience using Power Apps, SharePoint, or similar digital tools to support quality data collection and workflow automation Strong communication, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: Master's degree in Engineering, Quality, or Business Management Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or equivalent certification Experience with spaceflight hardware, optical payloads, or mission-critical systems Familiarity with ITAR and export compliance requirements Knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM) Lean Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt) certification Experience developing or applying quality clauses, quality notes, and mission assurance requirements for subcontracted hardware, software, or services 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 Ability to travel domestically and/or internationally as required to support test campaigns, supplier oversight, and program needs 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 g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This 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 hereITAR Regulations.