Aerospace GSE Mechanical Technician – Test Facility

Rocket Lab Corporation; Mississippi; On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a GSE Mechanical Technician II, III, or Senior based at our Stennis Space Center facility in Mississippi. You will help build and operate critical test facilities to support Archimedes engine and Neutron launch vehicle, collaborating with engineers and technicians across teams.

The role covers building mechanical systems, handling high pressure gas and cryogenic operations, and supporting hardware processing and checkout.

Qualifications

• 2+ years experience in facility operations in aerospace, oil & gas, or heavy industry.
• Background in collaborative work to accomplish difficult tasks.
• Experience with high pressure gas and cryogenic systems.
• Demonstrated experience building and activating facility systems.

Responsibilities

• Build facility systems of tubing, piping and mechanical structures.
• Operate high pressure gas and cryogenic systems using detailed work instructions and proper PPE.
• Directly support rocket engine hardware processing and checkout operations.
• Perform facility checkout and test operations safely while maintaining situational awareness and communication with others.
• Troubleshoot facility and test operations issues.
• Work with GSE teams on design, build, installation and checkout of facility systems.

Skills

Facility operations

Collaborative work

Cryogenic systems

High pressure gas

Test operations

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

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.

NEUTRON

Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program.

GSE MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN II, III or SENIOR

Based out of Rocket Lab's Test Facility at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, the GSE Mechanical Technician is responsible for helping build and operate critical test facilities to support the Archimedes rocket engine and the Neutron launch vehicle. You will become skilled in Test Operations roles and be expected to work in collaboration with a team of other technicians and engineers in support of the overall test facility design, build, activation and test efforts.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Build facility systems of tubing, piping and mechanical structures
• Use knowledge and skills to build mechanical systems that adhere to standards of integrity and cleanliness
• Directly support rocket engine hardware processing and checkout operations
• Operate high pressure gas and cryogenic systems using detailed work instructions and proper PPE
• Perform facility checkout and test operations safely while maintaining situational awareness and constant communication with others involved in the test activity
• Perform troubleshooting to resolve facility and test operations issues
• Work hand in hand with the GSE teams to complete design, build, installation and checkout of facility systems. Provide your expertise in system layout, system operations and test processes

(This position can be hired as a Technician II, III or Senior level)

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN II:

• 2+ years experience in facility operations in aerospace, oil & gas, or heavy industry.
• High School diploma or GED
• Demonstrated experience building and activating facility systems.
• A background in collaborative work to accomplish difficult tasks
• Experience with high pressure gas and cryogenic systems

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN III:

• 5+ years experience in facility operations in aerospace, oil & gas, or heavy industry.
• High School diploma or GED
• Demonstrated experience building and activating facility systems.
• A background in collaborative work to accomplish difficult tasks
• Experience with high pressure gas and cryogenic systems

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN:

• 8+ years experience in facility operations in aerospace, oil & gas, or heavy industry.
• High School diploma or GED
• Demonstrated experience building and activating facility systems.
• A background in collaborative work to accomplish difficult tasks
• Experience with high pressure gas and cryogenic systems

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience operating and/or building rocket engine test stands or large industrial complexes
• Knowledge of broad industry processes for pressure systems and cleanliness. i.e. (NASA, US Air Force, Department of Defense, ASME or other regulatory agency).
• Post-secondary education that might include technical degrees or licenses (A&P or similar)
• Experience with rocket engines or launch vehicles or similar aerospace hardware
• Experience operating facilities for liquid oxygen and liquid methane
• Knowledge of different valve types, fitting and flange types, materials of construction
• Ability to trouble shoot systems and collaborate to develop corrective work instructions
• Basic computer skills in MS Office, email, collaborative networks like JIRA or CONFLUENCE
• Demonstrated experience working with various trade disciplines, fabricators and suppliers to achieve on-time project execution

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas

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.