Panel Manufacturing Engineer II

SPACE SYSTEMS

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team is responsible for every satellite and satellite component made by Rocket Lab: from complete satellites destined for missions to the Moon and Mars, to the individual components and subsystems that make up a satellite like solar panels, flight software, reaction wheels and star trackers, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team is made up of engineers, technicians, and designers who design, create, and put together our own satellites for missions across the commercial, government, and defense sectors, or who build and assemble satellite hardware and software that supports other satellite missions.

PANEL MANUFACTURING ENGINEER II

Based out of Rocket Lab’s site in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Panel Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing and maintaining processes for building advanced solar panels for space applications and ensuring they won’t fail on orbit. You will support the Panel Engineering Manager and the Production organization, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors. 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 a practical understanding of the design, construction, manufacturing methods and operating principles of series interconnected multi-junction solar cells.
• Develop a practical understanding of the effects that external variables such as temperature, strain conditions, and the effects of a space environment can have on the materials used in the manufacture of solar panels.
• Develop a detailed understanding of parallel gap resistance welding, mechanical fixturing for high throughput assembly, and additive manufacturing techniques.
• Develop a practical working knowledge of the dispense and cure of space grade polymeric adhesives, the methods by which they can be mixed, degassed, and applied. An understanding should be built about the methods by which these materials cure and the factors that drive the effectiveness and rate of that cure.
• Develop a working knowledge of the electrical circuits used in solar panels and the design constraints thereof
• Combine the understanding described above to support current manufacturing capability and work to monitor/improve/expand the existing processes by working with area engineers
• Use your background with PLCs and process automation to support an automated assembly line
• Use analysis tools such as Excel, JMP and presentation tools such as Word and Powerpoint to develop and present results of experiments that you may help execute to internal groups
• Use your experience writing technical documents to help develop a set of standard work instructions for new automated manufacturing processes
• Effectively train operators on the proper use of equipment, and support their work with proper guidance, expertise and help. Provide the daily support that these folks need to be successful.
• Develop collaborative working relationships with operators, technicians, engineers, and managers. 

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field or sufficient equivalent experience.
•  2+ years related experience supporting a manufacturing line in a technical role

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Attention to detail and previous demonstrated experience with writing technical instruction documents
• Experience working with PLC based systems or automated manufacturing tools
• Experience designing tooling and mechanical solutions to support a manufacturing line or process
• Experience with any programming or scripting is a plus, as is SQL experience
• Experience using Statistical Process Control (SPC) to understand whether a process is performing as intended
• Experience with parallel gap resistance welding, polymeric adhesives, wiring, or mechanical fixturing processes

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.