Senior HITL Technician

rocketlab; Auckland; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior HITL Technician to own and execute the full HITL lifecycle. You will fabricate harnesses, build racks and simulators, and install avionics hardware and software. You’ll also sign off on flight hardware, troubleshoot integration issues, and mentor engineers and apprentices.

As part of the HITL team, you’ll drive quality, implement improvements, and support mission-critical test setups used before flight. Domestic and international travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Trade qualified in a relevant industry.
• 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Precision harness assembly experience with high-precision crimping, soldering and harness termination.
• Comfortable working to exacting standards, including cleanliness for oxygen service.
• Sound understanding of industry standard ESD practice.
• Good eyesight and ability to inspect wiring assemblies to high workmanship standards.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate, assemble, and test high quality harnesses and electro-mechanical assemblies.
• Design and build racks and simulators end to end, from harnessing to final integration.
• Install hardware including computers/servers, network cabling, avionics equipment, and related components.
• Perform software installation using microcontroller/FPGA programmers and internal tools.
• Sign off flight hardware and software, ensuring quality and traceability.

Skills

Harness assembly

Soldering

Crimping

ESD practice

Attention to detail

Quality workmanship

Education

Trade qualification in relevant industry

Tools

Multimeters

Oscilloscopes

Logic analysers

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The HITL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) team builds, runs, and maintains the simulators that put Rocket Lab's avionics and software through their paces before they fly. That means modern avionics components, test equipment, simple mechanical systems, and software, all brought together into integrated test setups that missions and projects depend on.

As Senior HITL Technician, you'll be hands on across the full HITL lifecycle: harness design, manufacture, and test, rack and simulator builds, hardware and software installation, simulator operation, and integration troubleshooting. You'll be trusted to sign off flight hardware and software and make sure no fault is passed downstream. This role has no direct reports, but you'll mentor engineers, technicians, and apprentices and set the standard for quality, attention to detail, and pace.

YOU'LL GET TO:

Own & Ship

• Fabricate, assemble, and test high quality, high reliability wire harnesses and electro-mechanical assemblies
• Design and build racks and simulators end to end, from harnessing and layout through to final integration
• Install hardware, including computers and servers, network cabling and interconnections, avionics equipment, and anything else the simulators need to function
• Carry out software installation using microcontroller and FPGA programmers and Rocket Lab internal configuration and installation tools
• Sign off flight hardware and software, validating the quality of products and tests

Solve & Fix

• Operate, upgrade, and maintain HITL simulators to keep missions and projects on schedule
• Troubleshoot system integration issues and debug hardware using multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analysers, and automated test equipment
• Perform on-the-job root cause analysis and raise well documented quality tickets for every defect found
• Maintain accurate traceability of hardware serial numbers through Rocket Lab systems

Lead & Scale

• Bring ideas that make a real difference to team efficiency, process reliability, and waste reduction
• Take an active role in continuous improvement meetings and own the actions that come out of them
• Work with L&D as a subject matter expert to develop training modules
• Question the status quo and pick up new systems and technologies as the team evolves

Grow & Deliver

• Mentor and support engineers, technicians, and apprentices, sharing your knowledge freely
• Understand your assigned components in detail and help the Team Lead build sound plans and schedule mitigations
• Support research and development tasks as required
• Seek out support and remove blockers to meet team deadlines, and develop your own get-well plans when needed

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

Core requirements:

• Trade qualified in a relevant industry
• 5+ years of relevant industry experience
• Precision harness assembly experience, and comfortable with high precision crimping, soldering, and harness termination
• Comfortable working to exacting standards, including cleanliness for oxygen service
• A sound understanding of industry standard ESD practice
• Good eyesight and the ability to inspect wiring assemblies to a high workmanship standard
• A working understanding of tool control and FOD awareness

BONUS POINTS FOR:

• Experience using electronic debugging tools such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and logic analysers
• Rack layout configuration and harness setup and installation
• Mechanical assembly experience
• Able to read, understand, and follow manufacturing instructions and drawings
• Experience working with ticketing systems
• Confident using computers, web-based applications, smartphones, and tablets
• Excellent written and verbal communication

EXPECTATIONS

Ownership mentality: you do everything in your control to meet team deadlines without being asked

An exceptional standard of accuracy and attention to detail. No fault gets passed downstream on your watch

Follow process precisely and flag anything that doesn't look right, whether it's your work or someone else's

Honesty and accountability. Own your mistakes and be part of the solution in a no-blame culture

A "how can I help?" team player who anticipates needs and lifts team morale

Work effectively in a team and autonomously, staying calm under pressure and taking initiative

No task is beneath you. Roll up your sleeves and do what's needed for mission success

Punctual attendance at the start of every shift, with the flexibility to work long hours when required

Follow health and safety policies and procedures, wear correct PPE, and report near misses and incidents promptly

Domestic and international travel may be required

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mis