Supplier Quality Engineer (I, II, Senior I, Senior II) - Harnessing

The role

The Supplier Quality Engineer ensures quality requirements for procured parts, services, and processes are achieved. You will act as a liaison between internal stakeholders and suppliers to translate technical requirements and drive supplier improvement.

What you will do

• Strategically source and onboard suppliers by assessing capabilities, manufacturing processes, and quality systems.
• Develop and implement supplier technical requirements, quality flow downs, and process controls.
• Oversee and monitor the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP).
• Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends and drive improvement plans.
• Provide feedback to suppliers to optimize manufacturing methods, reduce costs, and increase yields.
• Serve as liaison between purchasing, engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers.
• Lead supplier root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Act as internal owner for supplier SPC, yield improvement, and new tool/process qualification.
• Lead projects and present findings to internal teams, management, and suppliers.

Required qualifications

• Experience in a regulated industry: Aerospace, Medical, Automotive, or similar.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Mechatronic Engineering, or equivalent.
• Knowledgeable on IPC/WHMA-A-620, Class 3 and Space Addendum.
• Experience with harnessing and cable manufacturing (including school projects, clubs, or internships).
• Minimum 2 years' experience for Level II.
• Minimum 5 years' experience for Senior I.
• Minimum 8 years' experience for Senior II.
• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work.
• Occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Nice to have

• IPC/WHMA-A-620, Class 3 and Space Addendum certification
• Experience working with suppliers or in a supplier quality role
• Structured problem-solving experience using 8D, A3, or equivalent RCA methodology
• Exposure to NADCAP special process requirements
• Six Sigma or Lean
• Familiarity with Jira, Confluence, and Power BI

Benefits

• Company stock
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (15% discount)
• Medical plans (HMO, PPO, and zero cost HDHP)
• 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

Before you apply

• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted refugee/asylee, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State/Commerce.
• For New Zealand offices: must hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO country.

About the company

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. They move fast and build real hardware for meaningful missions.