Director, Spacecraft Production

SPACE SYSTEMS

Rocket Lab's Space Systems team is responsible for designing, manufacturing, testing, launching and operating satellites and satellite components across several sites in the United States, Europe and New Zealand. Rocket Lab is one of the world's most dynamic space companies and the people behind our success are diligent, move fast, and have each other's back s to deliver reliable solutions to orbit time and time again.

DIRECTOR, SPACECRAFT PRODUCTION

Located at Rocket Lab's Long Beach, CA headquarters, we are seeking a highly motivated and results driven Director of Spacecraft Production to lead satellite and satellite component manufacturing teams. This role will be responsible for consistent, on-time delivery of products, for maintaining impeccable standards for quality and workmanship, for cost management, and for scaling production systems and processes to meet rapidly growing demand. This experienced people leader will have deep insights into effective production planning and execution and will take charge of a cross-functional team of managers, engineers and technicians while working closely with designers, quality, supply chain, and business development. This is an incredible leadership opportunity to have full ownership for elevating one of the highest performing teams and product portfolios in the space industry.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Lead high performing teams to consistently deliver on schedule, on cost and on quality.
• Lead the implementation and scaling of production systems and processes to meet rapidly growing demand.
• Lead projects that improve worker safety, increase productivity, eliminate critical path blockers, and improve quality and reliability.
• Develop, coach, motivate, and retain a high-performance team by fostering a spirit of cooperation and collaboration and ensuring ownership of and accountability for outcomes.
• Work with the engineering and program management teams to realize manufacturing quality improvements, cost reductions and continuous improvements.
• Collaborate with business development and engineering partners to ensure new products are conceived and designed with manufacturability in mind.
• Establish organizational standards for lean production and a culture consistent with Rocket Lab's values.
• Closely coordinate and build relationships across technical and support departments, strengthening communications and collaboration.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering or related field or equivalent experience.
• 12+ years of experience in production, manufacturing, or engineering.
• Experience in developing and delivering continuous improvement projects within a production environment.
• Demonstrated track record of deploying strategies, metrics, KPIs and operating rhythms that drive successful execution in manufacturing environments.
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Master's Degree or PhD in a technical/engineering discipline or equivalent experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to lead and drive teams.
• Strong track record of leadership experience managing diverse, high-performing production teams.
• Ability to coordinate and motivate production teams toward a common vision and set of deliverables.
• Proven ability to utilize lean and other continuous improvement methodologies to drive operational performance in every area within manufacturing operations.
• An active security clearance.

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