Lead Spacecraft Assembly & Test Technician

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Lead AIT Technician to coordinate daily spacecraft assembly, integration, and test activities onsite. You will mentor technicians, lead by example, and drive continuous improvement while ensuring safety, quality, and on-time production.

Ideal candidates will have aerospace manufacturing experience, strong leadership, and the ability to work cross-functionally with production management, engineering, and quality teams.

Qualifications

• Aerospace manufacturing experience in spacecraft assembly and integration.
• Strong technical proficiency in electrical and mechanical assembly and aerospace workmanship standards.
• Ability to coordinate work, prioritize demands, and deliver results in a fast-paced production environment.
• Proven ability to mentor, train, and positively influence others through effective communication and leadership by example.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate challenges, exercise sound judgment, and elevate issues appropriately.
• Demonstrated accountability, professional integrity, and the ability to build trust and maintain productive working relationships.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and execution.
• HS Diploma or GED.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily spacecraft assembly, integration, and test activities, ensuring work is executed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with engineering and quality requirements.
• Establish daily priorities, assign work, monitor progress, and maintain accountability for production commitments and schedule execution.
• Proactively identify and resolve production constraints, including material shortages, engineering discrepancies, quality issues, and resource limitations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for technicians, facilitating communication and coordination with production management, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and other supporting organizations.
• Maintain awareness of upcoming production requirements, ensuring work packages, materials, tooling, and personnel are prepared to support uninterrupted production flow.
• Provide technical guidance, troubleshoot manufacturing challenges, and ensure compliance with approved work instructions, configuration control, and workmanship standards.
• Mentor and develop technicians through coaching, knowledge sharing, cross training, and constructive performance feedback.
• Promote a culture of ownership, integrity, teamwork, and accountability while consistently demonstrating professionalism and sound judgment.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and manufacturing efficiency.

Skills

Aerospace manufacturing

Electrical & mechanical assembly

Team coordination

Mentoring

Problem solving

Accountability

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Tools

MES

ERP

Jira

Job description

Rocket Lab Corporation in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Lead AIT Technician to coordinate daily spacecraft assembly, integration, and test activities onsite. You will mentor technicians, lead by example, and drive continuous improvement while ensuring safety, quality, and on-time production.

Ideal candidates will have aerospace manufacturing experience, strong leadership, and the ability to work cross-functionally with production management, engineering, and quality teams.