Optical/Mechanical Technician Jobs

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.
Life at Rocket Lab
Mechanical Technician
The mechanical technician will be responsible for the integration of spacecraft precision attitude determination and control products, which are comprised of mechanical, electrical, and optical subassemblies. The successful candidate will assemble, inspect, and perform other duties associated with building a variety of products from Rocket Lab’s reaction wheel and star tracker product lines.
What You’ll Get To Do

• Precision shimming of reaction wheels to achieve clearances and bearing preloads
• Controlled application of staking compounds (epoxy and/or Loctite) to threaded fasteners
• Mechanical integration and focusing of opto-mechanical subassemblies
• Precision application of lubricant/grease to rotary components
• Installation of bearings into reaction wheel assemblies
• Mechanical integration of space hardware in a clean environment
• Installation of tangless threaded inserts into machined components
• Functional and performance testing of reaction wheel and star tracker subassemblies and units
• Integration of reaction wheel rotor assemblies and management of balancing process
• Occasional rework or modification of fixtures and production components
• Xray inspection of integrated optical subassemblies
• Packaging of machined parts for surface treatment
• Mechanical integration of electrical subassemblies into mechanical housings
• Documentation of all activities and collected data
• Final inspection (mass and photography) of parts, subassemblies, and integrated units
• Inspection, dimensional verification, and fit check of machined and 3D printed components
• Bulk cleaning of components using ultrasonic cleaner and manual cleaning using isopropanol

You’ll Bring These Qualifications

• Excellent fine motor skills including manipulation of small components with fine tweezers
• 1+ years of experience with precision mechanical integration
• Excellent vision at close range (with or without corrective lenses)

These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have

• Experience with using Matlab or related scripting programs/languages
• Ability to use a torque wrench
• Highly organized and able to work independently with strong attention to detail
• Ability to use digital or analog calipers/micrometer/dial gauge to measure critical dimensions
• Experience with machined aluminum components, bearings, and optics
• Ability to use a drill press, hand drill, and other basic metal working tools
• Ability to use an optical microscope (4-20x magnification range)
• Ability to interpret and follow technical instructions supplemented by verbal instruction
• Familiarity with cleanroom/cleanbench best practices
• Familiarity with best practices for working with ESD-sensitive hardware

Important Information
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen as defined by ITAR (22 CFR

• 120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations fromthe U.S Department of State.

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
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