Composites Technician - Level I-IV

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 1,300 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.

ABOUT SOLAERO

SolAero Technologies is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of highly efficient radiation-hardened solar cells, Coverglass Interconnected Cells (CICs), and solar panels for space power applications. Since 2001, SolAero solar cells or panels have supplied primary power to over 1,000 successful space missions with zero on-orbit failures. Our proven manufacturing capability, technology leadership, and unsurpassed reliability make SolAero the supplier of choice for demanding space programs.

Composites Technician – Level II-IV

SolAero has an immediate need for Composites Technicians with a minimum of 2+ years of experience to join our production team to join a fast-paced, team-oriented manufacturing environment in Albuquerque.

 WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

You will have the opportunity to be a part of the Production team at SolAero by Rocket Lab, the Composites team more specifically, is responsible for building and assembling numerous parts for our solar array panels. You will undertake all aspects of the build required during production, while adhering to Rocket Labs High standards of Quality, and secondly meeting the scheduled demand set out by the production leadership team.

As a technician, you will be hands-on, working with tools, equipment and/or facilities to build and test Rocket Lab solar array components. Your responsibilities contribute to the overall production schedule.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Interpret and apply laminate and assembly drawings to ensure product quality
• Produce a laminate by vacuum bagging for composites
• Repair damaged or faulty composite items
• Select, use, and care for hand tools used in the composite industry
• Select, use, and care for portable power tools used in the composite industry
• Perform measurements and calculations used in a composite workplace
• Interpret and apply assembly drawings to ensure product quality
• Apply health and safety procedures in a composite workplace

This position  works a 4/10 Shift: Monday-Thursday, 5AM to 3:30PM

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school Diploma or GED and a minimum of 2+ Years of experience working in the composite manufacturing industry (aerospace, marine, or other)
• Precision Lamination experience of prepreg systems
• Knowledge of Bagging for oven and Autoclave cures
• Basic Hand tool experience

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to stand on feet on the shop floor for hours at a time during your shift
• Ability to lift, carry, and manipulate tools, raw material, and finished product
• Regularly required to use hands to handle tools, fixtures, raw material, and finished product
• Frequently required to stand and walk up to 95% of the working shift
• Occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds (50 lbs. team lift or using appropriate PPE)
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
• Will work with or near chemicals with various hazard levels and consequences of exposure which requires the operator to understand and follow precisely the hazard controls and operational procedures provided in Safety Data Sheets and Work Instructions for the chemicals they handle and tools they operate in order to prevent exposures
• May be assigned work with tools, equipment, or work functions designed to an ergonomic standard that does not protect all workers from repetitive stress injuries which will require the operator to maintain vigilant situational awareness and close communication with supervisors to prevent injury
• Must be able to detect and respond promptly and without assistance to equipment and plant casualty alarms
• Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

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 from the 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.

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.