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Director of Production

Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab

Product
Auckland, New Zealand
Posted on Wednesday, December 6, 2023

About The Role

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems. 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 provided reliable access to orbit since 2018, becoming one of the most frequently launched rockets in the world. Neutron will be our next rocket on the launch pad, an advanced 13-tonne payload class, reusable rocket to launch the mega constellations of the future. Our space systems business includes our extensive line of satellites and components that have enabled more than 1,700 missions including the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA Psyche Mission, Artemis I, Mars Ingenuity helicopter, and more.

Join our pioneering team and launch your career to new heights!

ELECTRON

Rocket Lab’s Electron team is responsible for building, testing, and launching our Electron rocket across our launch sites and test facilities in the United States and New Zealand. Electron is one of the world’s most frequently-launched rockets and the people behind its success are diligent, move fast, and have each othersback to deliver a reliable rocket to the launch pad time and time again.

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION

Located out of Rocket Lab’s Auckland, NZ site, we are seeking a highly motivated and results driven Director of Production to lead the production team for the Electron rocket. This role will be responsible for consistent, on-time delivery of Electron vehicles, while maintaining impeccable standards for quality and cost management, and scaling production systems to meet new levels of increased demand. As an experienced people leader with deep insights into effective production planning and execution, this role will lead a team of production supervisors and technicians, while working closely with the engineering, quality, supply chain, and business development teams. This is an incredible senior leadership opportunity to have full ownership of elevating one of the highest performing teams and products in the space industry.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

  • Lead a high performing team to consistently deliver Electron rockets on schedule, while scaling production systems to meet new levels of increased demand.
  • Ensure that projects maintain and improve safety, increase production rate, reduce critical path blockers, and promote long-term reliability.
  • Develop, coach, motivate, and retain a high-performance team by fostering a spirit of cooperation and collaboration, and ensuring team members to take ownership of projects and promote collaboration.
  • Work with the engineering and program management teams to implement and deliver on manufacturing cost-reduction and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Collaborate with business development and engineering partners to ensure new product development meets with the goals of product manufacturability.
  • Establishing departmental standards for lean production techniques to achieve required rate, efficiency, and cost objectives.
  • Closely coordinate and build relationships across technical and support departments, strengthening communications and collaboration.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering or similar
  • 12+ years of experience in production, manufacturing, or engineering.
  • Experience in developing and delivering continuous improvement projects within a production environment.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

  • Master’s Degree or PhD in a technical/engineering discipline
  • Strong track record of leadership experience managing a diverse, high-performing production team.
  • 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 strong operational performance in EHS, Quality, Delivery, Cost and Cash.
  • Strong track record of establishing strategy, metrics, KPIs and operating rhythms to drive successful operational execution in both NPI and production phases of the product life cycle.
  • Active security clearance

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.

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