Fluids Technician II/III - B Shift

Rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 34,440 - 48,216; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company equity

Medical and dental coverage

Paid vacation and holidays

401(k) retirement plan with company match

Discounted employee stock purchase program

Onsite gym

Job summary

Rocketlab is looking for a Fluids Technician II/III at their headquarters in Long Beach, CA. The role involves building fluids systems for the Archimedes engine. Responsibilities include operating CNC tube cutting equipment and ensuring project specifications are met. Candidates should have 2-5 years of experience in tube shop environments, particularly in aviation or aerospace.

The ideal candidate must be flexible with working hours and able to perform in a production environment. The position offers a starting pay range of $25—$35 USD per hour, along with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of tube shop experience in aviation, aerospace, or similar industry.
• Experience with tube bending machines.
• Experience working with Inconel, titanium, aluminum, and stainless steel.

Responsibilities

• Set-up and operate CNC tube cutting equipment.
• Perform tube bending, flaring, fit up.
• Assist with day-to-day operations.

Skills

Tube shop experience

CNC tube bending

Mechanical assembly

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

BLM tube benders

CNC tube cutting equipment

Job description

Fluids Technician II/III

Based out of Rocket Lab's Headquarters in Long Beach, CA the Fluids Technician is responsible for building the fluids systems sub-assemblies for Archimedes engine.

Position can be hired at the Fluids Technician II or Fluids Technician III level.

What you'll get to do:

• Set‑up and operate CNC tube cutting equipment
• Perform tube bending, flaring, fit up, and preparation to meet project specifications and industry standards
• Cutting and assembling tubes based on provided drawings.
• Assisting with day‑to‑day operations to ensure smooth workflow and efficiency.

Qualifications as Fluids Technician II:

• 2+ years of tube shop experience in aviation, aerospace, or similar industry
• Experience with tube bending machines from .250 to 6’ tubes
• Experience with BLM tube benders
• High school diploma or GED.

Qualifications as Fluids Technician III:

• 5+ years of tube shop experience in aviation, aerospace, or similar industry
• Experience working with Inconel, titanium, aluminum and stainless steel
• Experience working with close tolerances
• Working knowledge of tube bending technology
• High school diploma or GED.

Nice to have qualifications:

• 8+ years of mechanical assembly and/or mechanical fitting experience
• Hands‑on experience with CNC tube bending
• Expertise in operating BLM tube benders
• Skilled in maintaining and working with close tolerances
• Knowledgeable in handling materials including Inconel, titanium, aluminum, and stainless steel

Additional requirements:

• Willing to work Monday - Friday (B-shift 2:00pm-10:30pm)
• Stand and walk extended periods (8+ hours) on production floor
• Perform repetitive motions including grasping, bending, twisting, reaching, pushing, and pulling
• Operate equipment and controls requiring manual dexterity and hand‑eye coordination
• Lift, carry, push, and pull materials up to 25 lbs.
• Work in a production environment with noise, moving machinery, and varying environmental conditions
• Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and varied shifts as operational needs require

Base pay range (CA only): $25 — $35 USD.

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 medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 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, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts.

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.

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.

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.