Senior Assembly Integration & Test Technician

Rocket Lab•Long Beach, CA

11h•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team builds spacecraft, payloads, and components for ambitious space missions. The Senior Assembly Integration & Test Technician works onsite at the company’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California, performing spacecraft assembly, integration, and test activities while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and workmanship. The role builds and integrates flight hardware by following engineering drawings, work instructions, and manufacturing procedures, applying electrical and mechanical assembly skills in a collaborative aerospace production environment. The technician provides technical leadership on complex spacecraft assembly, integration, and test campaigns; supports hardware verification, spacecraft testing, propulsion integration, and critical lifts; and helps troubleshoot issues, identify manufacturing risks, and improve processes. The position requires working B shift, Monday through Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., with flexibility for extended hours, weekends, and varied shifts as operational needs require.

Requirements

At least 8 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, 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 with 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 affecting safety, quality, cost, or schedule.
Ability to interpret engineering intent when drawings or work instructions need 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 varied work surfaces; climb ladders and work at height; and work in small spaces, awkward positions, and tight areas as needed.
Ability to perform repetitive bending, twisting, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling, and stooping; precisely handle and operate tools and equipment; and lift, carry, push, or 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, must meet applicable U.S. Government export-control eligibility requirements, including ITAR requirements.

Nice To Haves

Current IPC-WHMA-A-620 certification.
Current J-STD-001 certification.
NCCCO Certified Rigger qualification.
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.
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 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 require 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 and vision coverage.
Paid vacation and sick time.
11 paid holidays.
Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
Paid parental leave.
Disability and 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.