Lead Supplier Quality Engineer

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a space company that provides launch services, spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and related capabilities, all aimed at expanding access to space. Its rockets and satellites support major missions across scientific research, Earth observation, climate-focused work, national security, and technology demonstrations.

The company’s Electron launch vehicle is now the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket each year and has placed more than 230 satellites into orbit. Rocket Lab is also advancing Neutron, its reusable medium-lift launch vehicle designed for larger constellation deployments. Its Space Systems division builds satellites, payloads, and components, including hardware selected for NASA Moon and Mars missions and parts used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Supply Chain Team

Rocket Lab’s Supply Chain function manages the movement of materials, products, and components across the business. Because many of the company’s products are mission-critical parts for both internal and customer programs, this team plays a direct role in the success of rocket and satellite operations. The group handles assembly kit preparation, inventory control, shipping and receiving, direct and indirect procurement, and quality inspection to confirm materials and products meet required standards.

Role Summary

In this Auckland-based position, the Lead Supplier Quality Engineer is accountable for making sure purchased parts and outsourced processes consistently meet quality expectations. The role leads a team of Supplier Quality Engineers and serves as a major point of coordination between internal teams and suppliers, converting technical needs into practical specifications.

The position requires strong leadership, communication, and negotiation skills to encourage supplier improvement, strengthen quality systems, and support cost and efficiency gains while balancing the needs of both internal stakeholders and external partners. It also includes ownership of non-conformance reporting, supplier audits, supplier concessions, and continuous improvement efforts aimed at lowering risk, cost, and lead time.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team by promoting collaboration, accountability, and strong execution in fast-moving environments.
• Build and improve supplier quality systems and processes that help ensure consistent delivery of compliant components and services.
• Use quality metrics and tracking tools to monitor supplier performance, highlight trends, and reinforce accountability.
• Drive improvements in purchased part quality by reducing non-conformances and supporting root cause analysis and corrective action activities.
• Help suppliers scale their production processes to support future quality, cost, and delivery needs, including new product introduction activities such as NPI, APQP, and PPAP.
• Act as the connection point between suppliers, internal teams, and senior leadership to align on technical requirements, production objectives, and quality standards.
• Oversee non-conformance reports, supplier audits, concessions, and improvement actions that reduce operational risk, cost, and lead time.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in a quality-related role, ideally within regulated sectors such as aerospace, medical, automotive, or industrial manufacturing.
• A bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Mechatronic Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong understanding of quality systems, engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturing methods such as fabrication, CNC, PCBAs, and 3D printing.
• Hands-on experience with root cause analysis methods including 8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone, and similar problem-solving tools.
• Demonstrated success leading projects, managing supplier relationships, and improving quality performance across the supply chain.
• Ability to work beyond standard hours when required, including occasional nights and weekends.
• Visual capability needed for the role includes close, distance, peripheral, and depth vision, along with the ability to maintain focus.
• Regular use of a computer, keyboard, hands, fingers, and verbal/written communication is part of the role.
• Must be able to physically commute to company buildings.
• May occasionally be exposed to dust, fumes, and moderate noise levels.

What to Expect

Rocket Lab operates in a demanding environment where success depends on persistence, teamwork, innovation, and strong execution. The culture emphasizes mutual support, humility, and a willingness to handle both large and small tasks. The work is fast-paced, deadline-driven, and focused on delivering results under pressure.

Important Information

For candidates seeking to work in U.S. offices only: Employment in U.S. offices is subject to export control requirements under ITAR and related regulations. Eligible employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or otherwise able to obtain the needed authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce.

Equal employment opportunity: Rocket Lab provides equal opportunity and does not discriminate or harass on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected characteristic. This applies to all employment terms and conditions, including hiring, promotion, pay, training, leave, transfer, and termination.

For candidates seeking to work in New Zealand offices only: Background checks will be completed before any offer is made, including nationality checks because access to equipment and data regulated by ITAR is required for this role. You may be ineligible if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO country, or if you have dual citizenship/nationality that is not eligible under the regulations.