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Technicians

Senior Equipment Maintenance Technician

Rocket Lab logoRocket Lab$30–$45/hrLong Beach, CAPosted today
  • US citizenship
  • ITAR / US person

How this pay compares

This posting states $62.4k–$93.6k a year. Open technician jobs in California post a median of $73.9k a year, the middle half $61.6k–$83.2k, across 24 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post.

Technicians in California: pay by town and employer

About the job

## 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.

FACILITIES Rocket Lab’s Facilities team is responsible for maintenance, operations, and improvements projects across our locations, making sure that the facilities our teams use every day are well looked after and operating as they should. ## SENIOR EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN Based out of Rocket Lab's Headquarters in Long Beach, CA the Senior Maintenance Mechanic is responsible for performing preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs and installation support for a wide range of industrial manufacturing equipment., mechanical systems, and facility infrastructure. ## WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO - Maintain and repair all critical CNC assets to ensure their proper operating condition - Create and carry out preventative maintenance requirements for CNC machines (Haas, DMG, Hermle, and Mazak) - Create and maintain maintenance plans within the approved systems - Maintain and repair additional equipment as needed such as inspection equipment, testing equipment, 3d Printers, Vacuum Pumps, etc. - Diagnose mechanical failures involving bearings, gearboxes, motors, pumps, valves, actuators and drive assemblies. - Assist with maintenance and repairs of vacuum pumps, chillers, cooling systems, and other specialized manufacturing support equipment. - Inspect, maintain, and repair industrial air compressors, refrigerated air dryers, filtration equipment, and compressed air distribution systems. - Read and utilize schematics (mechanical/ electrical/pneumatic/hydraulic) - Perform other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment - Support equipment installation, relocation, commissioning, and operational testing - Coordinate with OEMs and outside service contractors when specialized maintenance or repairs are required - Be part of an effective work planning process that utilizes work order, planners, and part staging ## YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS - High school diploma or equivalency certificate - 8+ years of experience maintaining and repairing CNC equipment, industrial compressed air systems, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, chillers. - Strong mechanical troubleshooting and repair capabilities - Experience working in a highly regulated manufacturing or production environment - Working knowledge of industrial electrical systems, including, 120v, 208v, 240v, 277v, and 480v ## THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE - Maintenance experience on vacuum systems, environmental thermal testing - Any training certifications are a plus - Experience operating a forklift and other related inventory equipment - Aeronautical, manufacturing or, trade experience - EPA 608 universal certificate - Ability to read and interpret electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic schematics and drawings - Analytic thinker that gets to the root of the problem and comes up with permanent solution to remedy the issue - Ability to maintain a safe and clean working environment while adhering to company policies, quality policies, and industry standards - Excellent communicator skills - Ability to work independently, prioritized maintenance requests, and collaborate with cross-functional teams 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) $30 - $45 USD WHAT 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. ## 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.

From Rocket Lab's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

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About Rocket Lab

Builds the Electron and Neutron launch vehicles and spacecraft and their components.

Pay on its listings: 71.9% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

How it pays: Paid as an employee on Rocket Lab's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).

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