Quality Manager

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Rocket Lab

Auckland, NZ

On-site

Posted March 9, 2026

Job Description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

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.

QUALITY MANAGER

We’re looking for a hands-on, driven Quality Manager to lead from the front and shape the future of quality at our Auckland facility. With a fresh leadership team backing quality as a strategic priority, this is a rare opportunity to push quality culture, develop high-performing teams, and build scalable, impactful systems from the ground up.

You'll play a key role in transforming our approach from reactive to proactive, owning processes, influencing cross-functional teams, and delivering meaningful site-wide results.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

Manage and growing team of Quality Engineers, developing capability, accountability, and a proactive mindset across the group.
Champion a shift from reactive to proactive quality management. Foster strong cross-functional engagement, ensuring quality is embedded in every process and decision.
Define quality standards for incoming materials, manage supplier audits, and ensure performance across the external supply chain.
Lead the Material Review Board to ensure effective disposition of non-conforming materials and identify opportunities for scrap reduction and root cause resolution.
Use methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, and problem-solving tools to drive continuous improvement, eliminate process variation, and reduce defects across production.
Oversee documentation control, conduct product and process audits, and ensure rigorous standards are applied consistently.
Own key KPIs, reporting on quality metrics, progress, and initiatives to site leadership and global stakeholders.
Support and maintain Rocket Lab’s QMS, ensuring adherence to AS9100 standards and alignment with global procedures. Oversee certification processes and regulatory compliance across manufacturing and operations.

WHO YOU ARE:

A strong leader from a complex manufacturing environment (aerospace, automotive, or similar).
Comfortable rolling up your sleeves and working across levels — from the shop floor to senior leadership.
Driven, practical, and decisive — able to make sound judgments even with limited data.
Able to influence, build relationships, and gain buy-in across global teams.
Experienced in quality systems and methodologies (AS9100, ISO, Lean, Six Sigma).
Confident managing engineers and quality professionals in a cross-functional setting.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS :

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or related discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemistry, etc.)
5+ years in a quality role within a high-complexity manufacturing environment.
3+ years of team leadership or management experience
Ideally experienced in aerospace, automotive, or regulated manufacturing sectors
Exposure to supplier quality, compliance audits,

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