Director - Electron Design Engineering - IN NEW ZEALAND (Relocation provided)

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND WITH RELOCATION PROVIDED.

ENGINEERING AT ROCKET LAB
Engineering is the driving force behind Rocket Lab's success. Our team designed Electron, the world's most frequently launched small launch vehicle, and continues to push the boundaries of innovation in space technology. With a proven track record of developing world-class rockets and spacecraft, we're transforming how humanity accesses and utilizes space.

At Rocket Lab, you'll collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry—engineers from diverse backgrounds and experience levels, all united by a shared mission: going to space to improve life on Earth. Our engineering team spans disciplines including design, analysis, development, testing, manufacturing and launch support.

DIRECTOR – ELECTRON DESIGN ENGINEERING

As Director – Design Engineering at Rocket Lab's Auckland Production Complex, you will lead a high-performing engineering organization responsible for the ongoing evolution of Electron, the world's leading small launch vehicle. You'll oversee teams that design, develop, prototype, and test critical rocket components and subsystems, driving improvements in performance, manufacturability, production rate, and mission capability.

In this role, you'll combine deep engineering expertise with strong business and strategic leadership. You'll identify future product growth opportunities, solve complex technical challenges, and ensure engineering execution aligns with program, cost, and schedule priorities. You'll champion best practices, operational efficiency, and a culture of ownership, accountability, and innovation, setting the standard for technical excellence and delivery.

Space industry experience is a plus but not required. We're looking for an energetic, decisive leader with extensive engineering experience, strong commercial judgment, and the ability to inspire teams delivering technology with global impact.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Leadership: Lead, mentor, and empower an industry-leading team of Design Engineers, cultivating a high-performance culture with efficiency, accountability, and speed. Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability for all team members.
• Mission Critical Decision-Making: Collaborate with production, manufacturing engineering, and business development teams in design reviews and make critical design trade-off decisions.
• Customer-Focused Innovation: Drive the continued evolution of the Electron launch vehicle to deliver increased performance and enable new mission capabilities.
• Strategy and Planning: Develop and execute ambitious Annual Operating Plans tied to measurable Key Performance Indicators. Manage department budgets and forecasting to ensure efficient resource allocation.
• Drive Commercial Thinking: Prioritize and allocate work based on broader business priorities, risk assessment, and return on investment.
• Accelerate Production: Eliminate production bottlenecks by resolving issues promptly, escalating quickly, and driving root cause mitigations.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering.
• Experience: 10+ years in a complex, safety-critical design engineering environment.
• Proven Project Delivery: You've personally spearheaded complex engineering projects and delivered real, measurable results.
• People Leadership: Demonstrated ability to build, influence, mentor and guide high performance teams to deliver exceptional results.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distil complex technical issues into executive summaries.
• Product Development: Proven experience transitioning products from design to high-volume manufacturing in a fast-paced, iterative design environment.
• Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor, NX/Unigraphics, Catia).
  • Working knowledge of DFMEA, PFMEA methodologies, and Fault Tree Analysis.
  • Hands-on approach with a passion for continuous improvement and building exceptional hardware.
  • Experience with Jira workflow management.
  • Expertise in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), bill of materials management and configuration control would be a strong advantage.

WHY JOIN ROCKET LAB?
At Rocket Lab, you'll be part of a team that's redefining what's possible in space exploration. You'll work on cutting-edge technology, tackle complex challenges, and contribute to a mission that has a real impact on life on Earth. We offer a dynamic, fast-paced environment where innovation thrives, and your contributions will shape the future of space access.

READY TO LAUNCH YOUR CAREER?
If you're ready to lead a team of world-class engineers and drive innovation in space technology, we want to hear from you. Apply today and be part of Rocket Lab's mission to improve life on Earth through space exploration.