Senior HITL Technician

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment.

The Space Systems business designs and builds satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior HITL Technician I is responsible for designing, maintaining, and operating hardware in the loop (HITL) systems.

• Fabricate, assemble, and test high‑quality, high‑reliability harnesses.
• Build, integrate, and modify HITL test racks, including equipment installation, cable routing, harness integration, and basic checkout.
• Work hands‑on with test and flight hardware.
• Collaborate with a cross‑disciplinary team to build, set up, maintain, and improve HITL test and simulation systems for Rocket Lab spacecraft systems or similar complex systems.
• Contribute to equipment rack layout and arrangement, including equipment placement and buildability feedback.
• Build, modify, and iterate prototype rack designs in collaboration with engineering, test, and spacecraft teams.
• Use, maintain, and redline technical documentation via system diagrams, schematics, ICDs, procedures, and test/anomaly reports.
• Identify and communicate rack and harness buildability, maintainability, serviceability, and integration risks during design, build, and integration activities.

• 8+ years of relevant industry experience in harness fabrication, rack assembly, test systems, or a similar technical environment.
• Hands‑on experience with harness manufacturing, rack assembly, and rack integration.
• Proven ability to contribute to rack layout, equipment arrangement, cable routing, harness integration, and build activities.
• Ability to precisely follow quality inspection and manufacturing work instructions.
• Proficiency in reading, interpreting, and providing feedback on system diagrams, schematics, CAD drawings, ICDs, procedures, and manufacturing documentation.
• Experience performing harness and rack electrical checks, including continuity, pinout, and visual inspection.
• Sound understanding of standard industry ESD practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively across engineering and technician teams while raising buildability, integration, or test concerns early.
• U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements.

• Trade qualification in a relevant industry.
• Experience creating technical documentation, including system diagrams, schematics, CAD drawings, ICDs, procedures, and test/anomaly reports.
• Familiarity with common electrical test equipment such as DMMs, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or similar tools.
• Experience with network devices, Ethernet cabling, fiber debugging, servers, routers, switches, or PLCs.
• Basic Python and Linux scripting skills.
• Precision soldering experience.
• Exposure to spacecraft systems, HITL/PIL environments, or similarly complex autonomous systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, and standard web‑based applications.
• Strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, self‑motivation, and ability to work under deadline pressure.
• TS/SCI Clearance.

• Stand and walk extended periods (8+ hours) on production floor.
• Perform repetitive motions including grasping, bending, twisting, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
• Operate…