Senior Supplier Quality Engineer

Job Description
Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is the global leader in small satellite launch. Our mission is to open access to space to improve life on Earth. There are endless possibilities for what we can achieve with better access to space, and that access is now a reality thanks to Rocket Lab. Our team is 1,100 people strong and we're adding to it every week. Collaboration is at our core - every idea is heard and everyone makes a difference. Teams are nimble, decisions are made quickly and we are action-oriented.

While other companies talk about it, we do it!

Supplier Quality Engineer
As a Sr. Supplier Quality Engineer at Rocket Lab you will be responsible for ensuring the quality requirements for procured parts, services & processes are achieved. Working as a liaison between our internal customers and suppliers you are a critical conduit for translating technical requirements into easy and clear specifications that suppliers can achieve. Your exceptional communication and negotiation skills will encourage suppliers to strive for improvement, implement more robust quality processes and drive cost reduction, processes efficiency whilst enabling smooth management of the sometimes conflicting priorities between customers & suppliers. The role will also include creation of non-conformance reports, performing supplier audits, managing supplier concessions, and identifying opportunities for improvement to reduce risk, cost, or lead time to Rocket Lab.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Establishing fundamental Supplier Quality systems and processes to drive the business forward
• Generate metrics and tools to enhance visibility of supplier performance
• Continuous improvement of product quality
• Performing on site and remote supplier audits
• Creation of internal and external quality control plans
• Creation of quality standards, processes, and procedures
• Creation of Non-Conformance reports
• Performing quality investigations
• Identifying processes failures at suppliers
• Drive to understand root causes
• Implementation corrective actions
• Deploying PFMEA tools, techniques & training to support targeted improvement actions
• Creation of internal Engineering Change Requests to support improved manufacturability of parts
• Support suppliers with scaling up their production processes to achieve the future quality cost and delivery targets
• Follow-up & verify corrective action implementations and audit findings
• Strong focus on quality improvement at source and driving cost reduction opportunities
• Developing new supplier management processes
• Working with suppliers to introduce new products into production (NPI, APQP, PPAP)
• Liaise between suppliers, development, production, and senior management
• Ensure health and safety policies and standard operating procedures are followed at both Rocket Lab and supplier sites
• Correct PPE is worn in designated areas
• Near misses and incidents are reported promptly

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience working in a high quality, process driven environment
• Previous experience in a supplier quality role
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
• Experience developing KPI's for performance reporting
• Practical experience leading and investigating quality related issues
• Experience with Root cause Investigations, Practical Problem solving, 8D's, 5 Why's, Fishbone diagrams, Ishikawa and/or similar problem-solving tools
• The ability to interpret engineering drawings and geometric dimensions
• Problem-solving attitude
• Proactive, enthusiastic, self-motivated
• The ability to learn quickly and work productively without direct supervision
• Experience working under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Highly organized with faultless attention to detail
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience leading and managing projects
• Experience working within a regulated industry Aerospace, Medical, Automotive etc.
• Exposure to regulatory standards such as AS9100, IS09001, ISO13485, IATF 16949 or similar
• Experience with a wide range of specialized technical manufacturing processes
• Lean/six sigma experience
• NPI/APQP/PPAP experience
• Understanding of Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA), Gauge R&R

Important Information:
To conform to US Government space technology export regulations, applicants must be a US citizen, lawful permanent resident of the US, protected individual as defined by 8 USC 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorization from the US Department of State.

Rocket Lab USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment with Rocket Lab USA is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status