Assembly Integration & Test Technician III

Rocket Lab Corporation•Long Beach, CA

17h•$28 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team builds spacecraft, precision payloads, and the components and subsystems that support missions ranging from interplanetary exploration to national security and defense. The Assembly Integration & Test Technician role is based onsite at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California. The posting describes the role as responsible for spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing 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 production environment and successful delivery of spacecraft hardware. The position involves mechanical and electrical installation, production verification, support for spacecraft functional and environmental testing, and propulsion integration activities. The posting emphasizes technical leadership, complex spacecraft assembly and test experience, troubleshooting, and process improvement. The role is expected to work B shift, Monday through Thursday, 3:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; extended hours, weekends, and varied shifts may also be required as operational needs dictate. The listed California hourly pay range is $28–$35. Rocket Lab offers a benefits package that includes an Employee Stock Purchase Program, medical, dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) plan with company match, along with additional perks and employee discounts.

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 performing advanced mechanical rework, including drilling, tapping, precision alignment, and bonded repairs.
Experience with spacecraft propulsion systems, including 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 to 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.
Ability to climb ladders and work at elevated heights, in small spaces, awkward positions, and tight areas as needed.
Ability to perform repetitive motions including bending, twisting, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling, and stooping.
Manual precision 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.

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 such as avionics, propulsion, structures, harnessing, environmental test, and spacecraft integration.
Demonstrated ability to perform 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 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 hardware, including harnesses, avionics components, heaters, RTDs, brackets, connectors, and other flight hardware.
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.
Mentor technicians across skill levels and promote workmanship excellence and continuous improvement, as stated in the preferred qualifications.

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.