Senior Technical Trainer

Rocket Lab USA; Middle River (MD); On-site; USD 41,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top-tier medical benefits

401(k) retirement plan with company 1:

Paid vacation and sick leave

11 paid holidays

Flexible spending accounts

Parental leave

Life insurance

Equity opportunity

Free snacks/drinks onsite

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA seeks a Senior Trainer for our Middle River, MD facility. The role develops and delivers hands-on training for aerospace manufacturing, assembly, and repair, ensuring technicians are proficient while meeting safety and quality standards.

You will partner with engineering, quality, and production teams to drive continuous improvement on the shop floor. The ideal candidate has a High School Diploma with 8+ years in manufacturing, plus experience in training strategies and

Qualifications

• High School Diploma and 8+ years in manufacturing or related industry.
• Experience in training and developing and implementing learning strategies.
• Must be certified or able to become certified in all composites work centers.
• Intermediate Math Skills.
• Experience training and mentoring newer technicians on industry standards and processes.
• Expert knowledge of tools and ability to apply to complex composite assemblies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver training programs for aerospace manufacturing, assembly, and repair processes.
• Train personnel on aerospace-grade materials and adhesives.
• Ensure training complies with aerospace standards and drawings (e.g., FAA, AS9100).
• Create and maintain work instructions, visual aids, and training documents.
• Evaluate technician proficiency through assessments and on-the-job observations.
• Support onboarding and recurrent training of technicians.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and manufacturing to address defects and process improvements.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing issues and incorporate lessons learned into content.
• Promote safety, quality, and continuous improvement on the shop floor.

Skills

Training delivery

Composite manufacturing

Aerospace standards

Safety compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentoring technicians

Tool proficiency

Mathematical skills

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Caliper

Micrometers

Pneumatic tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Precision measurement

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

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 solutionleveragingRocket Lab's proven execution history with the Electron program. If you're interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re‑usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!

SENIOR TRAINER

The Senior Trainer will be based out of Rocket Lab's Space Structures Complex in Middle River MD. The Senior Trainer develops and delivers hands‑on training to ensure technicians are proficient in aerospace manufacturing, assembly, and repair processes while meeting safety, quality, and regulatory standards. This role partners with engineering, quality, and production teams to assess skills, address process gaps, and promote continuous improvement on the shop floor.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO TO DO:

• Develop and deliver training programs for aerospace manufacturing, assembly, and repair processes
• Train personnel on aerospace‑grade materials, including prepregs, resins, fibers, core materials, and adhesives
• Ensure training emphasizes compliance with aerospace standards, engineering drawings, and specifications (e.g., FAA, AS9100)
• Create andmaintainwork instructions, visual aids, and training documentation aligned with aerospace quality requirements
• Evaluate technicianproficiencythrough practical assessments, on‑the‑job observations, and skills certifications
• Support onboarding, recurrent training, and cross‑training of composite technicians
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams to address defects, rework, and process improvements
• Troubleshoot composite manufacturing issues and incorporate lessons learned into training content
• Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement on the production floor

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diplomaand 8+years ofexperienceinmanufacturingorrelated industry
• Experiencein trainingand developing and implementing learning strategies
• Must be certified or able to become certified in all composites work centers
• Intermediate Math Skills
• Experience training and mentoring newer technicians on industry standards and specific processes
• Expert knowledge of the following tool use anddemonstratedcapability to apply them to achieve complex composite assemblies:
• Pneumatic tools
• Caliper
• Micrometers
• Hand tools
• Power tools
• Precision measurement instruments
• Familiarity working with and conforming to drilling, laminating, and assembly prints
• Experience working with material data sheets
• Demonstrated experience coordinating cross-functional teams and managing complex projects within a rapidly evolving environment.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Broad Industry manufacturing experience frompreviousappointments
• Advanced Prepreg manufacturing knowledge
• Resin infusion knowledge
• BS Degree Learning/Training Development

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching may be required to perform the functions of this position
• Must be able to climb ladders and be comfortable working in tight spaces.
• Must be able to move repetitively, bend or twist, and use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
• Must be able to walk or stand for extended periods - 8 hours min
• Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and being able to maneuver in tight spaces
• Respirator Use: Must be able to wear a respirator as required for certain tasks and environments.
• Heavy Lifting: Ability to lift and carry heavy objects, up to 50 lbs. as part of regular job duties.
• Equipment Operation: Proficiency in operating lift trucks, scissor lifts and other support equipment as needed for various tasks.
• Working at Heights: Comfortable and capable of working at heights, including on scaffolding and elevated platforms.
• Physical Movements: Ability to perform a wide range of physical movements, including bending, squatting, and other essential motions, to efficiently and safely complete job tasks. This includes maintaining flexibility and stamina to handle repetitive actions and dynamic work environments.
• Overtime: Willingness to work overtime as needed, including during the week and on weekends, to meet project deadlines and operational needs.

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 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, and free snacks/drinks onsite.

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.

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.

Important information:

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] 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.

Base Pay Range (MD Only)

$30—$39 USD