Senior Spacecraft Assembly, Integration & Test Lead

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Top-tier medical plans

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

401(k) with company match

Onsite fitness centers

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation in Long Beach, CA, is seeking a Senior Assembly Integration & Test Technician to perform spacecraft assembly, integration, and test activities onsite. The role demands a strong manufacturing foundation, leadership in complex campaigns, and hands-on expertise with electrical/mechanical assembly and propulsion systems.

You will work in a fast-paced aerospace environment, collaborating across disciplines to ensure safe, quality, and on-time delivery of flight hardware.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant manufacturing experience or demonstrated subject matter expertise, preferably in aerospace.
• Demonstrated technical leadership on complex spacecraft assembly, integration, and test campaigns.
• Experience performing advanced mechanical rework including drilling, tapping, precision alignment, and bonded repairs.
• Experience with spacecraft propulsion systems including pressure testing, leak testing, propellant handling, vacuum systems, or thrust stand operations.
• Experience integrating spacecraft subsystems such as solar arrays, propulsion systems, payloads, deployable mechanisms, or equivalent flight hardware.
• Experience performing critical spacecraft lifts utilizing overhead cranes, mobile gantries, and approved lifting fixtures.
• Ability to lead troubleshooting efforts involving multiple engineering disciplines.
• Ability to identify manufacturing risks and implement process improvements that improve safety, quality, cost, or schedule.
• Ability to interpret engineering intent when drawings or work instructions require clarification.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, integrate, and test spacecraft hardware in accordance with engineering drawings, work instructions, and quality standards.
• Install electrical and mechanical hardware including harnesses, avionics components, heaters, RTDs, brackets, connectors, and other flight hardware.
• Utilize electrical and mechanical assembly tools, measurement equipment, and calibrated tooling safely and effectively.
• Perform functional checks, continuity testing, insulation resistance testing, and other production verification activities as required.
• Support spacecraft functional testing, comprehensive performance testing (CPT), and environmental test campaigns as required.
• Support spacecraft propulsion integration activities including hardware installation, pressure testing, leak testing, and system verification in accordance with approved procedures.
• Support critical spacecraft lifts utilizing overhead cranes, mobile gantries, and approve lifting fixtures while adhering to established safety and handling procedures.

Skills

8+ years aerospace

Technical leadership

Mechanical assembly

Electrical assembly

Troubleshooting

Propulsion systems

Safety compliance

Tools

SAP

MES

ERP

GD&T

Job description

Rocket Lab Corporation in Long Beach, CA, is seeking a Senior Assembly Integration & Test Technician to perform spacecraft assembly, integration, and test activities onsite. The role demands a strong manufacturing foundation, leadership in complex campaigns, and hands-on expertise with electrical/mechanical assembly and propulsion systems.

You will work in a fast-paced aerospace environment, collaborating across disciplines to ensure safe, quality, and on-time delivery of flight hardware.