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Test Technician III

Rocket Lab

Long Beach, CAJob$28–35/hrPosted todayStill listed today

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At a glance

Compensation
$28–35/hr
Location
Long Beach, CA
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Job overview

Rocket Lab’s Test Technician III will test electrical and electromechanical assemblies for Electron, Rutherford, and Photon components at its Long Beach headquarters. The work includes functional, bench, vibration, and environmental testing to verify components meet performance and quality requirements for spaceflight. The role requires at least five years of electronic module testing experience and a high school diploma or GED; aerospace experience is preferred.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Unit Testing, nice to haveEnvironmental Tests, nice to haveMechanical Tools, nice to haveManufacturing Execution System (MES), nice to haveElectronic Module Testing, requiredElectrical Assembly Tools, requiredBench Testing, requiredMeasuring Instruments, requiredVibration Tables, requiredThermal Environment Chambers, requiredVacuum Chambers, requiredAerospace Applications, nice to haveIn-Space Electrical Assemblies, nice to haveManufacturing Execution Systems, nice to haveManufacturing Processes, nice to haveProduct Development, nice to haveVibration Dynamics Testing, nice to haveThermal Dynamics Testing, nice to haveTVAC Chambers, nice to haveTime Management, nice to haveOvertime Availability, nice to haveAttention to Detail, nice to haveMethodical Work, nice to haveCareful Work, nice to haveSoftware and IT Systems, nice to haveStanding and Walking, requiredClimbing Ladders, requiredPrecision Tool Operation, requiredLifting 25 Lbs, requiredFunctional Testing, nice to haveEnvironmental Testing, nice to have

Qualifications

5+ Years Electronic Module Testing, requiredHigh School Diploma or GED, requiredIndustry or Trade Certification, nice to haveU.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, Refugee, Asylee, or Authorized, required

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Paid Time Off
Parental Leave
401(k) Match

Full job description

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.

NEUTRON Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program. If you’re interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re-usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity! TEST TECHNICIAN III - A SHIFT Based on- site at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Test Technician III will be working on the electrical and electromechanical assemblies of the Electron Launch Vehicle avionics, Rutherford Rocket Engine, and Photon Satellite Components. Testing will include a wide range of satellite and rocket components, from radios to space batteries, actuators to network switches, and cameras to transducers. WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

  • Day to day tasks will involve functional testing, bench testing, vibration, and environmental testing.
  • Technical capability with testing apparatus is critical to ensure all components are tested to the appropriate levels to be accepted for spaceflight.
  • Ensure all components meet performance and quality requirements.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A TEST TECHNICIAN III:

  • 5+ years of experience in electronic module testing, preferably for aerospace applications
  • Experience with electrical assembly tools, bench testing, and measuring instruments.
  • Experience with vibration tables, thermal environment chambers, and vacuum chambers
  • HS Diploma or GED.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

  • Experience with in-space electrical assemblies
  • Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
  • Knowledgeable in manufacturing process and continued product development
  • Experience with Vibration/Dynamics Testing
  • Experience with Thermal Dynamics Testing
  • Experience with TVAC chambers
  • Excellent time management skills, and the ability to work overtime and long hours if needed.
  • Eye for detail, as well as a methodical, tidy, and careful work ethic
  • Natural inclination towards software and IT systems
  • Industry or trade certified

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Willing to work A Shift (Monday – Thursday 5:00am - 3:30pm)
  • Stand and walk for entire shift (8+ hours) on various work surfaces
  • Climb ladders and work at elevated height small spaces, awkward positions, and tight areas as needed
  • Perform repetitive motions including bending, twisting, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling, and stooping
  • Use hands with precision to handle, control, and operate tools, instruments, and equipment
  • Lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment up to 25 lbs.
  • Work in varied environments including production floors, equipment areas, and field locations with exposure to noise, temperature variations, and moving machinery
  • Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and varied shifts as operational needs require

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) $28—$35 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. 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 Johnson at [email protected] 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.

How this job compares

Set against the 776 open Test Technician jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 10, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$28–35/hr
  • California median$32–43/hr107 hourly ranges
  • US median$28–36/hr363 hourly ranges

This range's midpoint, $31.50/hr, is 18% below the California median midpoint ($38/hr) — in the lowest quarter of Test Technician hourly ranges in California.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 142 open Test Technician jobs in California and 776 across the US. None of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in California
Experience
This posting asks for at least 5 years of experience — more than three in four Test Technician postings that state a minimum ask for (median 2 years, across 546 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a high school diploma; 338 of the 776 open Test Technician jobs (44%) ask for a high school diploma or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 10, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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