Welder Fabricator II

Rocket Lab Corporation; Wallops Island (VA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation in Virginia is seeking a Fabrication Technician II to lead fabrication tasks across cutting, welding, machining, painting and assembly for vehicle build and GSE repair. You will read blueprints and drawings to ensure accurate production and collaborate with engineers to optimize processes.

This role requires a high school diploma or equivalent, 2+ years in fabrication, and proficiency with CNC machines, welding, saws, mills, lathes, and shop tools.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical degree or certification preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in fabrication or manufacturing.
• Proficiency with CNC machines, welding, saws, mills and lathes, and common shop tools.

Responsibilities

• Oversee fabrication tasks including cutting, welding, machining, painting, and assembly.
• Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings.
• Operate and maintain fabrication machinery safely and efficiently.
• Perform custom fabrication work for specific requirements.
• Collaborate with engineers and technicians to optimize fabrication processes.
• Support the repair and fabrication of Ground Support Equipment (GSE).
• Support all aspects of vehicle build, integration, and GSE.
• Join other manufacturing teams on an as-needed basis.
• Assist mechanical assembly and vehicle integration as needed.
• Inspect finished products for quality and adherence to specifications.
• Maintain a clean and organized work environment with safety in mind.
• Attend group meetings and contribute improvement ideas.
• Seek opportunities for process improvements and cost savings.

Skills

Fabrication experience

Blueprint reading

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical degree or certification in fabrication

Tools

CNC machines

Welding equipment

Saws

Manual mills and lathes

Shop tools

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.

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 solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program.

FABRICATION TECHNICIAN II

The Fabrication Technician II is a critical team member responsible for leading the fabrication processes, ensuring high-quality outputs, and optimizing production efficiency. This role involves working with various materials, tools, and technologies to create custom parts and components as per specifications, including painting, custom fabrication work, and supporting all aspects of vehicle build, integration, and GSE (Ground Support Equipment) repair and fabrication.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Oversee and execute fabrication tasks, including cutting, welding, machining, painting, and assembling materials and components.
• Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings to ensure accurate production.
• Operate and maintain fabrication machinery and equipment, ensuring safety and efficiency.
• Perform custom fabrication work, tailoring projects to specific requirements and customer needs.
• Collaborate with engineers, designers, and other technicians to optimize fabrication processes and solve technical issues.
• Support the repair and fabrication of GSE (Ground Support Equipment), ensuring functionality and reliability.
• Support all aspects of vehicle build, integration, and GSE.
• Join other manufacturing teams on an as-needed basis.
• Support mechanical assembly, vehicle integration, and composites when needed.
• Inspect finished products for quality and adherence to specifications, making adjustments as necessary.
• Maintain a clean and organized work environment, adhering to all safety regulations and protocols.
• Attend group meetings and provide ideas on how to overcome challenges through alternative methods.
• Continuously seek opportunities for process improvements and cost-saving measures.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical degree or certification in fabrication or related field preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in a fabrication or manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in operating fabrication tools and machinery, including CNC machines, welding equipment, saws, manual mills and lathes, and various shop tools (e.g., sanders, cutters, bandsaws, table saws).

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• A&P Certification (Airframe and Powerplant).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to safety and quality standards.

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
• Able to lift up to 25lbs. unassisted
• 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

Base Pay Range (VA Only)

$23 - $30 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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

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 measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is 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.