Quality Engineer II

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. 

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.

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 Quality Engineer II based at our Optical Systems site in Chantilly, VA, you will support the development and production of advanced optical payloads and systems for space and ISR missions. In this role, you will work closely with Engineering, Production, Supply Chain, and Program teams to ensure products meet customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements throughout the product lifecycle. 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:

• Develop and execute inspection methods to verify product quality and workmanship
• Ensure products comply with internal procedures, customer requirements, and industry standards such as AS9100
• Investigate products and process nonconformances and lead root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Generate, manage, and close Nonconformance Reports (NCRs), Corrective Action Reports, and support MRB/FRB activities
• Provide quality training and guidance to production and engineering teams on workmanship standards, procedures, ESD, and FOD
• Coordinate and document calibration activities and maintain metrology controls
• Support and maintain compliance with ESD and FOD programs across production and integration areas
• Perform inspections, review inspection data, and document results and findings
• Collect, analyze, and trend quality data using digital tools such as Power Apps and Power BI to support data-driven decision making
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reports to monitor quality metrics, nonconformance trends, corrective action effectiveness, and process performance
• Participate in internal, customer, and third-party quality audits as required
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency, quality, and repeatability of processes
• The Quality Engineer will support, analyze, and report on quality performance using data-driven metrics
• Travel as required to support test campaigns, supplier activities, audits, source inspections, and program milestones
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of quality, complian