Senior Weld Engineer

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program. If you’re interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re‑usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!

Rocket Lab is seeking an experienced Senior Weld Engineer to be based at our Engine Development Center in Long Beach, CA. This role will work under the direction of the Materials & Processes Department to lead the development, qualification, implementation, and continuous improvement of many welding processes used in the production of the Archimedes Engine for Neutron. This candidate shall be the main technical point of contact for all welding-related production issues and shall interface frequently with Manufacturing engineering teams to resolve these issues.

• Develop and implement procedures and process improvements for all welding activities used in the production of the Archimedes Engine.
• Author welding process specifications and PQR’s for each welding process on the Archimedes Engine.
• Define welding acceptance criteria in accordance with AWS D17.1 and other relevant NASA standards.
• Improve welding processes by conducting root cause analyses on weld related nonconformances.
• Provide expert guidance on weld repair rework, repair, and dispositioning.
• Support production operations on full scale welded assemblies, providing directions to manufacturing engineers and welders on correct techniques in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Work closely with design, tooling, and manufacturing engineers to improve welded designs for manufacturing.
• Develop and execute welding qualification test campaigns and interpret mechanical testing and NDE results.
• General support of M&P related projects.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical discipline
• 5+ years of experience in welding engineering working with TIG, Laser, MIG, or EBEAM for aerospace applications.
• Hands-on fabrication, manufacturing, or testing experience of welded assemblies.

• Working experience with Laser Welding, GTAW, GMAW, and Orbital GTAW welding processes with a variety of materials.
• CAD / modeling experienced with SOLIDWORKS, NX
• Experience with X-ray quality structural welding, seal welding, and hard facing overlays.
• Working knowledge of carbon / stainless-steel / Nickel based metallurgy. Familiarity with Copper and Nickel based alloys
• Strong knowledge of metallurgy fundamentals, material specifications, and heat-treatment requirements.
• Tooling design experience for welded assemblies to reduce part distortion and improve part consistency.
• Understanding of weld strength testing methodologies, standards, and data acquisition systems used to make informed welding decisions (ASTM E8, E399, E740, ISO 15653, AWS D17.X, AWS C7.X, thermos-couples,…