About The Role
Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is a vertically integrated provider of small launch services, satellites, and spacecraft components. Our mission is to open access to space to improve life on Earth. Our team is over 1,500 people strong and we’re adding to it every week. Collaboration is at our core – every idea is heard, and everyone makes a difference. Teams are nimble, decisions are made quickly, and we are action oriented.
While other companies talk about it, we do it!
About the role
The Spacecraft Propulsion Hardware team is responsible for developing and delivering qualified, flight-ready space vehicle propulsion system s. The team takes on system-level and component-level ownership, mostly developed in-house from mission requirement through to integration and beyond, including pre-launch, launch, and on orbit operations support. Examples of past work include the Curie and HyperCurie engines, Lunar Photon (CAPSTONE mission) spacecraft, and the Photon spacecraft bus for Varda. Currently the team is working on the propulsion system for ESCAPADE, a NASA science mission to Mars.
Members of the team often perform fine detail TIG welding of small diameter high pressure systems, and some are qualified aerospace welders. They also perform development and checkout tests on hardware. The technicians work end-to-end, which means they may be working on design of tooling, manufacturing process development, build, instrumentation, test, and documentation of results.
This role requires very good attention to detail and good workmanship skills including drawing interpretation, machining, welding, inspection, fitting, assembly and the ability to arrive at the desired outcome with minimal input from others.
Essential skills
- Fitting and Turning trade certificate, welding trade certificate, or Electrical and Instrumentation trade certificate
- Machining, welding, and assembly experience and aptitude
- Technical curiosity, attention to detail, and eagerness to learn
- Positive, professional attitude and flexible, solution-oriented mindset
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- The ability to work effectively in a team environment as well with limited direction and oversight
- Able to understand and follow digital and printed manufacturing instructions and drawings
Desired Skills
- Good understanding of aerospace standard of work and typical processes
- R&D Engineering project experience or working in an environment with ambiguity that requires creative problem solving and high standard of work
- A strong work ethic, able to self-task based on team goals, and always seeking more responsibility. Able and willing to work overtime if required
- Experience with electronics and instrumentation
Rocket Lab Employee Benefits
- The opportunity to work on innovative technology in a world leading facility
- An employee stock purchase program
- Access to subject matter experts to develop your career
- Equal opportunity employer
- Unlimited barista coffee, fruit, and snacks
- Rocket Lab merchandise – T-shirts, mission patches etc.
- Discounted health insurance with Southern Cross
- Additional parental leave entitlements
- A vibrant team culture with social activities throughout the year
If the above requirements are aligned with your experience apply now! All applications are reviewed and considered.
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 Biow 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.