About The Role
Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is a vertically integrated provider of small launch services, satellites, and spacecraft components. Our mission is to open access to space to improve life on Earth. Our team is over 1,500 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.
SPACE SYSTEMS
This is a rare opportunity to play a key role in Rocket Lab’s evolution into an end-to-end space company that delivers launch, spacecraft, and on-orbit operations. The Space Systems Division is shaping Rocket Lab’s future with Photon, our brand of high-performance satellites, enabling innovative missions in low Earth orbit and beyond including missions for NASA to LEO, the Moon, and Mars and commercial customers, including leading the design and manufacture of 17 high-power telecommunication spacecraft buses for Globalstar.
Rocket Lab is also growing our spacecraft components business, anchored on the acquisition of Sinclair Interplanetary manufacturing reaction wheels and star trackers in Toronto, SolAero Technologies manufacturing solar power and primary structure solutions in Albuquerque, Planetary Systems Corporation manufacturing launch separation systems in Silver Spring, and Advanced Solutions, Inc., provider of flight and ground software as a service in Denver. Our components business is key to vertically integrating our spacecraft solutions and enabling constellations for customers.
SENIOR R&D PROCESS ENGINEER
Based out of Rocket Lab’s new site in Albuquerque, NM as part of the SolAero Technologies acquisition, the Senior R&D Process Engineer will work in an R&D environment to develop new processes and improve existing capabilities for the manufacture of cutting-edge solar cell products. You will support the Process Engineering Manager, with deliverables required for internal leadership, board of directors, and investors.
WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:
- Lead/contribute to semiconductor fabrication process development projects to advance new products from concept phase through manufacturing phase
- Develop a detailed understanding of the design, construction, manufacturing methods, and operating principles of series interconnected multi-junction solar cells and their operation in the space environment
- Develop an understanding of the relationship between fabrication process and device performance, cost, reliability, and manufacturability
- Write process recipes, work instructions with process and engineering controls, and develop an understanding of fabrication tool functionality. Help troubleshoot tool issues and process-related device issues including hands-on work in a clean-room
- Contribute technical innovation to improve product value and increase market share, including new device designs and manufacturing methods
- Develop sufficient expertise with available modeling, growth, fabrication, test, and design tools to recommend better methods, improved designs and upgrade opportunities
- Assume ownership and accountability for successful completion of projects/programs
- Use analysis tools such as Excel, JMP and presentation tools such as Word and PowerPoint to develop thoughtful and correct analyses and conclusions of projects, and present those conclusions to others in a convincing and confident manner
- Interact with outside vendors to develop tools and equipment for fabrication of the devices
- Report results both internally and externally with presentations and formal reports
- Develop strong working relationships across the organization. Train and work closely with technicians and operators
- Develop understanding of the customer base and design requirements for space solar cells and other products
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS – (Note: you must meet every qualification in order to be considered):
- Bachelor’s in materials science, electrical engineering, physics, or other technical field and 5+ years of experience working with semiconductors or similar, OR, Master’s degree in materials science, electrical engineering, physics, or other technical field with 3+ years of experience working with semiconductors or similar, OR, PhD with 1+ years of experience working with semiconductors or similar
- Experience with common III-V (Arsenide & Phosphide) semiconductor fabrication techniques
- Experience with fabrication process development and familiarity with semiconductor device manufacturing methods
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Experience in manufacturing and aerospace preferred
- Experience with growth or testing of optoelectronic devices
- Experience with solar cell device design/theory
- Experience in a production-oriented manufacturing facility
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.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Biow at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.
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.