Full-Time

Quality Manager

IN New Zealand, Relocation provided

Posted on 7/1/2025

Rocket Lab USA

Rocket Lab USA

1,001-5,000 employees

Launch services, spacecraft, and on-orbit solutions

No salary listed

Long Beach, CA, USA

Hybrid

Position is based in Auckland, New Zealand with relocation—first 90 days from Long Beach, CA. Work location primarily Auckland, NZ; consider remote not available. Hybrid? Not specified; assume HYBRID due to relocation and on-site in NZ; but instruction: travel_requirements enum: REMOTE, HYBRID, IN_PERSON. The description states on-site at Auckland facility; first 90 days based in Long Beach, CA. This implies permanent location Auckland, NZ with relocation; not remote. Travel: not travel. So HYBRID? It is not hybrid; it's on-site in NZ; but some days in CA for first 90 days. The safe is IN_PERSON with additional info. However remote true is set? They say remote true only if candidate can work from home 100%. Not the case. So remote should be false. But we already set remote true in tool. We must correct. We can set remote false. Let's provide: locations: one with city Auckland, state null, country New Zealand, continent Oceania, remote false. travel_requirements IN_PERSON because not remote and on-site in NZ; but first 90 days in CA is temporary; could be HYBRID? It includes relocation; not clearly hybrid. Use IN_PERSON. additional_location_info:

US Top Secret Clearance, UK Top Secret Clearance Required

Category
QA & Testing (3)
, ,
Required Skills
Management
Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, quality management, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience in aerospace or complex manufacturing environments.
  • 3+ years of proven leadership experience within a global manufacturing or service environment.
  • Strong understanding of quality management principles and methodologies (e.g., ISO standards, AS9100, Lean, Six Sigma).
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to identify root causes and implement effective solutions.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working collaboratively across all levels of an organization and with external partners.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead change and implement company-wide initiatives effectively.
Responsibilities
  • Leading Quality Management Systems (QMS): Manage and maintain Rocket Lab’s QMS ensuring adherence to AS9100. Oversee the certification processes necessary for compliance across all the manufacturing and operational departments.
  • Supplier Quality Management: Oversee the quality performance of suppliers, establishing quality standards for incoming materials and manage supplier audits.
  • MRB Management: Lead the Material Review Board processes to ensure non-conforming material is dispositioned and identify Scrap reduction initiatives.
  • Quality improvement management: Lead Continuous improvement projects using industry-specific methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma and other tools to eliminate process variations and defects.
  • KPI Reporting: Report the Quality performance metrics, communicating quality initiatives to stakeholder in the organization and identify areas for improvement.
Desired Qualifications
  • Advanced certifications in Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, CQE etc.
  • Knowledge of aerospace or Automotive industries.
  • Quality Auditor certification

Rocket Lab provides end-to-end space services, including designing and manufacturing space hardware, launch services, satellites, and on-orbit management solutions. Its Electron rocket carries small satellites into orbit, Photon is a satellite platform for payloads, and Neutron is a larger launcher in development. It stands out through a proven mission track record, frequent launches, multiple launch sites, and an integrated suite of rockets, satellite platforms, and on-orbit services. The goal is to make space access faster, easier, and more affordable for governments and commercial customers across national security, science, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Long Beach, California

Founded

2006

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q1 2026 revenue hits $200M, backlog reaches $2.2B.
  • Acquires Motiv Space Systems and Mynaric for vertical integration.
  • Analysts project 44% revenue growth to $893M in 2026.

What critics are saying

  • SpaceX Starship rideshares undercut Electron pricing immediately.
  • Neutron launch slips past 2026 due to Mynaric delays.
  • Mynaric integration drops Q2 margins to 33%.

What makes Rocket Lab USA unique

  • Electron launches small satellites frequently since January 2018.
  • Neutron develops 13-tonne reusable rocket for 2026 debut.
  • End-to-end services include Photon platform and Gauss propulsion.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Paid Parental Leave

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Flexible Spending Account

Company Equity

Wellness Program

Phone/Internet Stipend

Childcare Support

Gym Membership

Employee Discounts

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Professional Development Budget

Conference Attendance Budget

Flexible Work Hours

Hybrid Work Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

1%
Yahoo Finance
Apr 14th, 2026
Rocket Lab unveils Gauss electric thruster with 200+ units/year production capacity

Rocket Lab has introduced Gauss, a new electric satellite thruster designed for high-volume production to meet growing demand from commercial and national security constellations. The company has established a production line capable of manufacturing over 200 thrusters annually. The in-house designed system includes a Hall Thruster, Power Processing Unit and Propellant Management Assembly. Gauss delivers higher specific impulse than traditional chemical propulsion, enabling more thrust per unit of propellant whilst requiring less fuel onboard. Founded by Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab aims to address supply chain constraints that have historically plagued electric propulsion production. The thruster is suited for prolonged missions including deep space exploration and satellite station-keeping. Gauss joins Rocket Lab's existing propulsion systems, including the Rutherford, Archimedes and Curie engines.

Yahoo Finance
Apr 9th, 2026
Rocket Lab wins $391K NASA Mars study, eyes $700M comms network contract

Rocket Lab has won a $390,936 NASA study contract for Mars telecommunications architecture and is competing for a $700 million programme to build a dedicated communications network supporting sample returns and crewed Mars missions through 2035. The company was the sole awardee of the study contract. NASA's ageing Mars relay satellites struggle with growing data traffic, making the Mars Telecommunications Network critical infrastructure. Rocket Lab has proposed its Mars Telecommunications Orbiter, a laser communication satellite in aerosynchronous orbit. The company's delivery of twin ESCAPADE orbiters currently operating at Mars strengthens its bid against competitors including SpaceX, Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman. The award decision is expected by September, with a 2028 launch deadline. Rocket Lab's 2025 revenue reached $602 million, up 38%, with backlog exceeding $2 billion.

MB News
Apr 8th, 2026
Rocket Lab completes $474M equity offering, with up to $642M total via forward transactions

Rocket Lab has completed its at-the-market equity offering programme, raising approximately $474 million in gross proceeds through the sale of 6.73 million shares. The company had filed to offer up to $1 billion in common stock on 17 March 2026. Additionally, Rocket Lab entered into collared forward transactions involving 7.45 million shares, with expected proceeds between $474 million and $642 million. These transactions are scheduled to mature in April 2028, with actual proceeds depending on settlement terms and pricing conditions. The global launch services and space systems provider intends to use the net proceeds to fund future growth, including potential acquisitions, and for general corporate and working capital purposes.

Yahoo Finance
Apr 4th, 2026
Rocket Lab wins $1B+ defence contracts and 38% margin as SpaceX IPO fever spreads

Rocket Lab has posted record full-year 2025 revenue of $602 million, up 38%, with GAAP gross margins reaching 38% and backlog expanding 73% to $1.85 billion. The company recently secured regulatory approval to acquire Mynaric for laser communications and won defence contracts exceeding $1 billion, including an $816 million prime contract for missile-warning satellites. SpaceX's confidential IPO filing at a targeted $1.75 trillion valuation has lifted space sector stocks broadly. However, Rocket Lab stands out as the only publicly traded company with vertical integration spanning launch services, spacecraft production and communications hardware. Fourth-quarter revenue reached $180 million, exceeding consensus estimates of $178 million. The company's Electron rocket has completed nearly three dozen successful missions, whilst Space Systems contributed $402.8 million, representing 67% of total revenue.

Yahoo Finance
Apr 1st, 2026
Rocket Lab's $1.85B backlog meets execution risks as Neutron launch slips to Q4 2026

Rocket Lab has secured strong government demand and a $1.85 billion backlog, with management expecting 37% to convert within 12 months. The company flew three HASTE hypersonic missions in 2025 and won an SDA Tranche III Tracking Layer prime contract in the fourth quarter, adding multi-year visibility. However, execution risks persist. The first Neutron launch has been delayed to the fourth quarter of 2026 following a January tank rupture. Space Systems generated $402.8 million, or 66.9% of total revenue in 2025, but the revenue mix is compressing margins. Management guided first-quarter 2026 GAAP gross margin to 34-36%. Early Neutron flights are expected to carry low or negative gross margins, extending the period where losses remain likely despite long-term growth potential.

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