People Matter

Join the teams that make the Impossible Happen.

About The Role

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.

TECHNICIAN II, R&D

Based out of Rocket Lab's site in Albuquerque, NM, an R&D technician is responsible for operating and maintaining equipment, building and testing engineering parts, and conducting experiments used to develop new space solar products. You will support R&D engineers in solving design problems related to the integration and assembly of space solar panels, with the ultimate goal of realizing lower cost, lighter weight, more functional, and higher performance space solar panels.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

Make hands-on contributions to real hardware that operates in space
Participate in the development of leading space solar technology
Develop expertise in the use and maintenance of testing and manufacturing equipment
- Setup and maintain lab space
- Perform minor repairs and calibration of equipment

Develop and apply proficiency in assembling space solar panels, specialized tooling and test articles
- Configure and build new hardware
- Create new work instructions and update existing ones

Perform experiments to support engineering projects, involving
- New materials
- New processes
- New equipment

Lead the configuration of new products, processes, and test articles
- Drawings
- Part numbers
- Work instructions
- Hardware configuration documents
- Test plans

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS – (Note: you must meet every qualification in order to be considered):

High School diploma or equivalent and/or 5 years of applicable technician experience

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

An associate’s degree in a two-year trade school or community college
Experience in a high-tech manufacturing company or R&D laboratory
Proficiency operating and maintaining manufacturing or laboratory equipment
Experience with the assembly of solar panels
Experience with resistance welding equipment and processes

BENEFITS AND LOCATION:

Relocation eligible to local area – Albuquerque, NM – depending on position
9/80 schedule
Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)
401k match up to 3%
10 paid company holidays and 16 days of PTO
Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)

SolAero by Rocket Lab is based in Albuquerque (ABQ), in the heart of New Mexico. ABQ offers both affordability and easy access to the outdoors and rich cultural centers such as museums and art galleries. With almost 300 days of sunshine a year, but also proximity to secluded ski slopes, there’s something for everyone who loves the outdoors. You’ll also find plenty of opportunities to try authentic New Mexican cuisine – a delicious blend of traditional Native American foods mixed with roasted green chiles. Fun fact: ABQ is the hot air ballooning capital of the world! It’s for all these reasons and more that New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations fromthe U.S Department of State.

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.

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.

Join the teams that make the Impossible Happen.

R&D Technician II

About The Role