Mechanical Technician III

Rocket Lab Corporation
Pasadena, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward candidates comfortable with precision electro-mechanical assembly and prototype development, working in a collaborative team environment within the aerospace domain in Pasadena, CA.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with hands-on experience in SMT and through-hole soldering and microscope work
    — “Proficiency in both through-hole and SMT soldering/resoldering techniques”
  • Individuals who have worked on prototype development and first article builds in aerospace or robotics
    — “Proven experience in prototype development and first article builds”
  • Candidates who can interpret schematics and engineering drawings for flight hardware
    — “Ability to read, interpret, and follow schematics, engineering drawings, circuit layouts, and parts lists”

Things to consider

  • U.S. citizenship is mandatory due to ITAR compliance requirements
    — “must be a U.S Citizen”
  • Candidates should be prepared for occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes
    — “occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with precision assembly and validation of parts lists for flight systems
    — “Validate parts lists for avionics and electronics hardware”
  • Emphasize your background in fabricating wire harnesses and electro-mechanical sub-assemblies
    — “Build electrical sub-assemblies and fabricate wire harnesses”
  • Showcase your ability to support production processes for first-time builds
    — “Assist with development of production processes for first-time production runs”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • precision assembly of avionics and electronic systems
  • fabrication of first article harness assemblies
Typical background
relevant experience in electro-mechanical assemblyproficiency in soldering techniques

Skills & requirements

Required

Electro-mechanical AssemblySoldering TechniquesFabricating HarnessesElectronic TestingReading Schematics

Preferred

Microscope SolderingPrototype Development

Stack & domain

PCB AssemblyElectro-mechanical AssemblySolderingConformal CoatingMechanical AssemblyFunctional TestingPrototype DevelopmentProduction ProcessesTeamworkProblem-solvingAttention To DetailCommunicationSpace TechnologyRoboticsElectro-mechanical Systems

About the role

Original posting from Rocket Lab Corporation via Greenhouse

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.

Rocket Lab Robotics

At Rocket Lab Robotics, we build robotic systems that push the boundaries of what's possible in space. From Mars-proven robotic arms to precision motion control systems for the most demanding environments in our solar system, our team delivers advanced electro-mechanical solutions for planetary exploration and various satellite programs. We've engineered hardware that has operated on the surface of Mars on NASA's Perseverance rover, supported lunar exploration through the CADRE rover program, and developed precision mechanisms for spacecraft subsystems including solar array drives, antenna gimbals, and optical payloads. As part of Rocket Lab, we combine the focus of small, dedicated robotics teams with the resources of a leading end-to-end space company, empowering some of the boldest missions in history. We're looking for people who take ownership and drive a problem from first principles all the way through manufacturing and delivery.

 ELECTRO-MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN III

We are currently seeking a Electro-Mechanical Technician to join our manufacturing team. The Electro-Mechanical Technician will play a crucial part in the precision assembly of avionics and electronic systems.

 WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

Work on a high caliber cross functional team

Perform mechanical and electrical assembly of PCB assemblies for flight hardware

Build electrical sub-assemblies and fabricate wire harnesses

Execute soldering and resoldering operations on through-hole and SMT components

Support conformal coating, masking, epoxy application and coating operations

Support mechanical assembly and integration of electro-mechanical systems

Assist with functional testing on flight and non-flight hardware

Fabricate first article harness assemblies and prototype electro-mechanical assemblies

Validate parts lists for avionics and electronics hardware

Assist with development of production processes for first-time production runs

Watch the hardware you build evolve into a completed Rocket and go to space

Uphold shop cleanliness and organization

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS AN ELECTRO-MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN I:

High School Diploma or GED with relevant experience in electro-mechanical assembly

Proficiency in both through-hole and SMT soldering/resoldering techniques

Experience using or soldering under a microscope

Demonstrated experience fabricating harnesses and electro-mechanical assemblies

Proven experience in prototype development and first article builds

Experience performing electronic testing and inspection using portable measuring devices

Ability to read, interpret, and follow schematics, engineering drawings, circuit layouts, and parts lists

Proficient with computers and MS Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word)

Due to program requirements, must be a U.S Citizen 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus

Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing

Must be physically able to commute to buildings

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. Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

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.

Hourly Pay Range (CA Only)$28—$35 USDWHAT 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 g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.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.

Source: Rocket Lab Corporation careers (Greenhouse)

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