Vehicle Integration Technician - Avionics

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

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking an Vehicle Integration Technician - Avionics in Auckland, NZ. The role covers hands-on installation of avionic and mechanical components onto the Electron launch vehicle, wiring harnesses and high voltage batteries, and supporting the overall production flow.

You will join a versatile team that blends avionics and mechanical skills, ensuring high workmanship, precision assembly and strict cleanliness for oxygen service.

Qualifications

• Trade qualification in a relevant industry.
• 4+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Precision avionic and mechanical assembly.
• High-accuracy crimping, soldering and harness termination.
• Cleanliness for oxygen service.
• Sound understanding of standard industry ESD.
• Good eyesight; inspect assemblies to high workmanship standards.
• Manufacture components to a high workmanship standard.

Responsibilities

• Install avionic and mechanical components onto the Electron launch vehicle.
• Wire harnesses and high voltage battery integration.
• Work as part of a versatile integrated team.
• Contribute to production and launch schedules.

Skills

Avionics assembly

Mechanical assembly

Crimping

Soldering

Harness termination

ESD awareness

Inspection

High workmanship

Education

Trade qualification

Tools

Crimping tools

Soldering irons

Harness termination tools

Job description

Vehicle Integration Technician - Avionics

Auckland, NZ

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.

Rocket Lab’s Electron team is responsible for building, testing, and launching our Electron rocket across our launch sites and test facilities in the United States and New Zealand. Electron is one of the world’s most frequently-launched rockets, and our team behind its success are diligent, move fast, and have each other's back to deliver a reliable rocket to the launch pad time and time again.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

As a member of the Vehicle Integration team, the Avionic Integration Technician installs avionic and mechanical components, wiring harnesses and high voltage batteries onto the Electron launch vehicle.

The Integration team is made up of technicians with both avionics and mechanical experience, but the team works as one unit, and tasks are not assigned solely based on the technician’s background. A versatile skillset is required.

As a Technician, you will be hands on, working with tools, equipment and/or facilities to build, launch or test Rocket Lab launch vehicles or components. Your responsibilities contribute to the overall production and launch schedule.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Trade qualified in relevant industry
• Must be able to demonstrate 4+ years of relevant industry experience
• Precision avionic and mechanical assembly
• Comfortable with high precision crimping, soldering and harness termination tasks
• Comfortable working to exacting standards, including cleanliness for oxygen service
• Have a sound understanding of standard industry ESD
• Have a good level of eyesight and be able to inspect assemblies to a high workmanship standard
• Be able to manufacture components to a high workmanship standard

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• The ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as autonomously
• Able to read, understand and follow manufacturing instructions and drawings
• A high work ethic, always seeking more responsibility. Able to work long hours if required
• Takes initiative
• Remains calm under pressure
• Computer literate, and comfortable using smartphones and tablets

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 [e-mail]. 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.