Assembly Integration & Test Technician III

Rocket Lab•Long Beach, CA

13h•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is hiring an onsite Assembly Integration & Test Technician III for its global headquarters in Long Beach, California. The role performs spacecraft assembly, integration, and test activities while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and workmanship. The technician builds and integrates flight hardware by following engineering drawings, work instructions, and manufacturing procedures, and contributes to a collaborative aerospace production environment. The position involves electrical and mechanical assembly, production verification, spacecraft functional and performance testing, propulsion integration, and support for critical spacecraft lifts. The role requires technical leadership and subject matter expertise across complex spacecraft assembly, integration, and test campaigns. The technician may work extended hours, weekends, and varied shifts as operational needs require.

Requirements

At least 5 years of relevant manufacturing experience or demonstrated subject matter expertise, preferably in aerospace.
Demonstrated technical leadership on complex spacecraft assembly, integration, and test campaigns.
Experience with advanced mechanical rework, including drilling, tapping, precision alignment, and bonded repairs.
Experience with spacecraft propulsion systems, such as pressure testing, leak testing, propellant handling, vacuum systems, or thrust stand operations.
Experience integrating spacecraft subsystems such as solar arrays, propulsion systems, payloads, deployable mechanisms, or equivalent flight hardware.
Experience performing critical spacecraft lifts using overhead cranes, mobile gantries, and approved lifting fixtures.
Ability to lead troubleshooting involving multiple engineering disciplines.
Ability to identify manufacturing risks and implement process improvements that improve safety, quality, cost, or schedule.
Ability to interpret engineering intent when drawings or work instructions require clarification.
Willingness to work B Shift, Monday through Thursday, 3:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Ability to stand and walk for an entire shift (8+ hours) on various work surfaces; climb ladders and work at height; work in small spaces and awkward or tight areas; and perform repetitive bending, twisting, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling, and stooping.
Ability to use hands precisely to handle, control, and operate tools, instruments, and equipment.
Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
Ability to work in production floors, equipment areas, and field locations with exposure to noise, temperature variations, and moving machinery.
Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and varied shifts as operational needs require.
For U.S. office candidates, eligibility to meet applicable U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, through qualifying citizenship, permanent residency, refugee/asylee status, or required authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Current IPC-WHMA-A-620 certification.
Current J-STD-001 certification.
NCCCO Certified Rigger.
Experience developing or improving manufacturing work instructions.
Experience supporting MRB, NCR, RCCA, or 5-Why investigations.
Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement training.
Experience with SAP, MES, ERP, or other manufacturing execution systems.
GD&T interpretation experience.
Experience supporting design for manufacturability (DFM) reviews.
Experience supporting customer inspections or mission-critical hardware reviews.
Cross-functional expertise across spacecraft subsystems, including avionics, propulsion, structures, harnessing, environmental test, and spacecraft integration.
Demonstrated ability to work safely while maintaining quality, workmanship, and configuration control.
Ability to work effectively within a cross-functional production team.
Recognition as a technical subject matter expert in one or more spacecraft assembly disciplines.
Demonstrated ability to mentor technicians across multiple skill levels while driving workmanship excellence and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Assemble, integrate, and test spacecraft hardware according to engineering drawings, work instructions, and quality standards.
Install electrical and mechanical flight hardware, including harnesses, avionics components, heaters, RTDs, brackets, and connectors.
Use electrical and mechanical assembly tools, measurement equipment, and calibrated tooling safely and effectively.
Perform functional checks, continuity testing, insulation resistance testing, and other required production verification activities.
Support spacecraft functional testing, comprehensive performance testing (CPT), and environmental test campaigns.
Support spacecraft propulsion integration, including hardware installation, pressure testing, leak testing, and system verification under approved procedures.
Support critical spacecraft lifts using overhead cranes, mobile gantries, and approved lifting fixtures while following safety and handling procedures.
Lead troubleshooting efforts involving multiple engineering disciplines.
Identify manufacturing risks and implement process improvements that improve safety, quality, cost, or schedule.
Interpret engineering intent when drawings or work instructions need clarification.
Mentor technicians across skill levels and promote workmanship excellence and continuous improvement.

Benefits

Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a company HSA contribution.
Dental coverage.
Vision coverage.
Paid vacation and sick time.
11 paid holidays.
Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
Paid parental leave.
Disability insurance.
Life insurance.
401(k) retirement plan with company match.
Subsidized EV charging.
Onsite fitness centers where available.
Discounted gym memberships.
Complimentary snacks and beverages.
50% employee discount on the company merchandise store.
Other employee discounts.