Technician III - Materials Development and Testing

JobSpace; Auckland; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking an Ion Propulsion Production & Test Technician in New Zealand to operate and maintain vacuum chambers used for ATP and to support Thruster and Power Processing Unit testing. You will execute test procedures, document results, and troubleshoot issues with engineers, while maintaining logs and inventory.

Ideal candidates have 4+ years in mechanical/electrical testing, assembly, and calibration, with a focus on cleanliness in vacuum environments and ESD policy adherence.

Qualifications

• Trade or degree qualified in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or similar.
• Must demonstrate 4+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience with operation of mechanical, electrical and automated test equipment.
• Familiarity with thermal systems, vacuum pumps, and pressure measurement.
• Precision mechanical and electrical assembly experience.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Comfortable working to exacting standards, including cleanliness for vacuum environments.
• Sound understanding of standard industry ESD policy.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to perform hands on assembly and maintenance.
• Good eyesight and ability to inspect assemblies to a high workmanship standard

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain vacuum chambers for production and testing of full Ion Propulsion systems, including setup, calibration, and real-time monitoring of test parameters.
• Accurately execute test procedures, document results, and report anomalies or out-of-family data to engineering teams.
• Troubleshoot test failures and collaborate with production, design, and quality engineers to resolve root causes and improve processes.
• Perform routine preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs on vacuum systems and facility equipment; maintain detailed logs and manage consumables inventory.
• Assemble and test precision thruster and sub-system hardware (including Power Processing Units), ensuring compliance with strict specifications using both common and specialized tools.
• Support engineering teams in troubleshooting build issues, refining maintenance procedures, and training team members as needed.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Electrical systems

Vacuum systems

Test equipment operation

Troubleshooting

Quality documentation

Team collaboration

Hands-on assembly

ESD policy

Cleanliness for vacuum environments

Education

Trade or degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Aerospace

Tools

Automated test equipment

Vacuum pumps

Thermal systems

Precision testing tools

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Technician III - Materials Development and Testing

As an Ion Propulsion Production & Test Technician at Rocket Lab, you will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of vacuum chambers used for full system Ion Propulsion Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP), as well as supporting Thruster and Power Processing Unit (PPU) assembly and sub-system testing.

What You'll Get To Do:

• Operate and maintain vacuum chambers for production and testing of full Ion Propulsion systems, including setup, calibration, and real-time monitoring of test parameters.
• Accurately execute test procedures, document results, and report anomalies or out-of-family data to engineering teams.
• Troubleshoot test failures and collaborate with production, design, and quality engineers to resolve root causes and improve processes.
• Perform routine preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs on vacuum systems and facility equipment; maintain detailed logs and manage consumables inventory.
• Assemble and test precision thruster and sub-system hardware (including Power Processing Units), ensuring compliance with strict specifications using both common and specialized tools.
• Support engineering teams in troubleshooting build issues, refining maintenance procedures, and training team members as needed.

You'll Bring These Qualifications:

• Trade or degree qualified in relevant industry (Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or similar).
• Must be able to demonstrate 4+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience with operation of mechanical, electrical and automated test equipment.
• Familiarity with thermal systems, vacuum pumps, and pressure measurement.
• Precision mechanical and electrical assembly experience.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Comfortable working to exacting standards, including cleanliness for vacuum environments.
• Sound understanding of standard industry ESD policy.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to perform hands on assembly and maintenance.
• Have a good level of eyesight and be able to inspect assemblies to a high workmanship standard

These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have:

• Experience with data acquisition systems.
• Experience compiling concise and accurate test reports.
• Experience maintaining industrial equipment.
• Experience working with high-voltage electronics.
• Strong work ethic, able to take own initiative.
• Able to remain calm under pressure

What To Expect:

We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other's backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

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.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at ******@rocketlabusa.com. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

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.