Materials and Process Engineer I

Responsibilities

• Develop, qualify, and document new or improved test processes
• Design and manufacture fixtures and create work instructions
• Own and develop test coupon geometries for in-house materials testing
• Drive process improvement initiatives for test method reliability
• Serve as a technical trainer and mentor to lab technicians
• Perform root cause investigations on materials and components
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and quality teams
• Implement engineering controls and calibration procedures
• Support qualification testing of conventional and new materials
• Perform metallographic and mechanical testing
• Present data and findings to senior leadership

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or similar engineering field
• 1+ years of professional experience in a materials testing or characterization laboratory
• Experience with metal additive manufacturing
• Hands-on experience with mechanical testing, metallography, or advanced materials characterization

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering
• Understanding of ASTM and ISO materials testing standards
• Experience with statistical methods for data analysis
• Hands-on experience with tensile, compression, or fatigue testers
• Experience with optical and electron microscopes
• Knowledge of aerospace metals (Nickel, Copper, Titanium, Iron, Aluminum alloys)
• Ability to read blueprints, CAD drawings, and material callouts

About the Company

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more.