What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Manager, Quality position at Rocket Lab USA?
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 rocket has 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.
SENIOR MANAGER, QUALITY
As a Senior Manager, Quality based at Rocket Lab's site in Long Beach, CA, you will have the opportunity to support the future of quality at our headquarters. In this role you will work on pushing quality culture, developing high-performing teams, and building scalable, impactful systems from the ground up.
To be successful in this role, you must be hands-on and driven, leading from the front. 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:
- Manage and growing team of Quality Engineers, developing capability, accountability, and a proactive mindset across the group.
- Champion a shift from reactive to proactive quality management. Foster strong cross-functional engagement, ensuring quality is embedded in every process and decision.
- Define quality standards for incoming materials, manage supplier audits, and ensure performance across the external supply chain.
- Lead the Material Review Board to ensure effective disposition of non-conforming materials and identify opportunities for scrap reduction and root cause resolution.
- Use methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, and problem-solving tools to drive continuous improvement, eliminate process variation, and reduce defects across production.
- Oversee documentation control, conduct product and process audits, and ensure rigorous standards are applied consistently.
- Own key KPIs, reporting on quality metrics, progress, and initiatives to site leadership and global stakeholders.
- Support and maintain Rocket Lab's QMS, ensuring adherence to AS9100 standards and alignment with global procedures. Oversee certification processes and regulatory compliance across manufacturing and operations.
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or related discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemistry, etc.)
- 10 years in a quality role within a high-complexity manufacturing environment.
- 5 years of team leadership or management experience
- Experienced in aerospace, automotive, or regulated manufacturing sectors
- Exposure to supplier quality, compliance audits, and technical product documentation
- Able to influence, build relationships, and gain buy-in across global teams.
- Experienced in quality systems and methodologies (AS9100, ISO, Lean, Six Sigma).
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- A strong leader from a complex manufacturing environment (aerospace, automotive, or similar).
- Comfortable rolling up your sleeves and working across levels — from the shop floor to senior leadership.
- Driven, practical, and decisive — able to make sound judgments even with limited data.
- Confident managing engineers and quality professionals in a cross-functional setting.
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.
- Availability to work long hours and weekends as needed based on test and launch schedules
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 here ITAR Regulations.
Salary : $142,500 - $190,000