Aerospace Production Technician II/III

Rocket Lab; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 33,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top-tier medical benefits

401(k) with company match

Stock purchase program

Flexible schedule

Free breakfast and lunch 2x/week

Free snacks/drinks

3 weeks paid vacation

7 days sick leave per year

11 paid holidays

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking an Aerospace Production Technician II/III to join the Silver Spring, MD site. You will support development and assembly of cutting-edge spaceflight hardware, including separations systems and on-orbit devices, and you will work both independently and with a team on challenging projects.

Base pay ranges from $24 to $29 per hour in MD, with a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, and a 401(k) match.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• 2+ years of hands-on aerospace assembly experience.
• Understanding of basic electronic circuitry is required.

Responsibilities

• Perform precision assembly of aerospace mechanisms using established procedures.
• Operate spaceflight hardware and assembly fixtures using data acquisition systems and established procedures.
• Attach and remove components on spaceflight hardware.
• Inspect mechanical and electrical components.
• Solder space flight harnesses per the J-STD.
• Generate ideas for potential process improvements.
• Assist with non-conformance investigations.

Skills

Hands-on aerospace assembly

Electrical circuitry understanding

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

J-STD soldering standards

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.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

AEROSPACE PRODUCTIONTECHNICIAN II/III

As an Aerospace Technician based at Rocket Lab’s site in Silver Spring, Maryland, you will have the opportunity to support the development andassemblyofcutting-edgespaceflight hardware, including separation systems, on-orbit devices, and other electro-mechanicaldeployables. In this role, you will performassemblyof aerospace mechanisms andassistwith the operation, inspection, and maintenance of spaceflight hardware andassemblyfixtures. To be successful in this role, you must be detail-oriented, self-motivated, and capable of working both independently and collaboratively. Join a driven teamthat’stackling challenging projects, delivering on exciting missions, and making an impact on the future of space!

(Please note: this position can be hired at the Aerospace Production Technician II orAerospace ProductionTechnician III level.)

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Performprecision assemblyof aerospace mechanisms using established procedures.
• Operate spaceflight hardware andassemblyfixtures using data acquisition systems and established procedures.
• Attach and remove components on spaceflight hardware.
• Inspect mechanical and electrical components.
• Solder space flight harnesses per the J-STD.
• Generate ideas for potential process improvements.
• Assistwith non-conformance investigations.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS ANAEROSPACE PRODUCTIONTECHNICIAN II:

• High school diploma or GED
• 2+ years of experience inhands-onaerospaceassembly
• Understanding basic electronic circuitry

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS ANAEROSPACE PRODUCTIONTECHNICIAN III:

• High school diploma or GED
• 5+ years of experience inhands-onaerospaceassembly
• Understanding basic electronic circuitry

  THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

  • 8+ years of experience in aerospaceassembly
  • Proficient with electronic circuitry
  • J-STD001-FS certification

  ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Stand and walk for entire shift (8+ hours) on various work surfaces
  • Climb ladders and work at elevated height small spaces, awkward positions, and tight areas as needed
  • Perform repetitive motions including bending, twisting, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling, and stooping
  • Use hands with precision to handle, control, andoperatetools, instruments, and equipment
  • Lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment up to 25 lbs.
  • Work in varied environments including production floors, equipment areas, and field locations with exposure to noise, temperature variations, and moving machinery
  • Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and varied shifts as operational needs require.

  Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

  Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including: top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 7 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include: discounted employee stock purchase program, flex schedule, free breakfast and lunch catered 2x/week, and free snacks/drinks.

  Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role. Benefit programs are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

  Base Pay Range (MD Only)

  $24 - $29 USD

  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.

  For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

  As set forth in Rocket Lab Corporation’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

  If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

  A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

  A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

  An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

  An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

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