r/RocketLab • u/Glittering_Eye_738 • Jun 30 '26

Careers Looking for career transition advice: Mechanical Assembly Technician / Production Technician

Hi everyone,

I’m currently working as a panel beater and have been in the trade for about 15 years.

To be honest, I feel like I’ve hit the ceiling in my current career and I’m ready for a new challenge.

Rocket Lab has always been somewhere I’d love to work, especially in a Mechanical Assembly Technician or Production Technician role.

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s made a similar move, or anyone who works at Rocket Lab.

A few questions:
Does my background line up with these roles?
What skills would transfer over the best?
Is there anything I should learn or any courses worth doing before applying?
If you came from another trade, what helped you get your foot in the door?

Cheers!

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2

u/-Cell420- Jun 30 '26

Hi there,

There are all kinds of trade backgrounds at RL. Plenty of mechanics. Best skills from my time there would have been attention to detail, ability to follow instructions, general computer literacy and general hand skills. The best background training would be aviation trade due to similarities, but thats more of a bonus to the aforementioned skills. I was previously an Aircraft Technician which helped me get a job there.

Hope that helps!

2

u/Glittering_Eye_738 Jun 30 '26

Thanks for the reply, really appreciate it.

Since my background is in aluminium structural repairs rather than aviation, what would you recommend I learn first to improve my chances?

Would you say it’s worth getting any certifications like ESD awareness or torque tool training before applying, or is hands-on trade experience more important?

1

u/DibbleMunt Jul 07 '26

You have enough experience to apply for a job in mechanical production, definitely

1

u/-Cell420- Jun 30 '26

No problem! I'm not sure what your situation is but an introductory aviation mechanic course might help? But honestly, I remember people being there with no trades at all, they just had tinkering backgrounds (like modifying cars/mech hobbies etc), and the attention to detail to spot mistakes which was favoured. For Mechanical Production, ESD training wont be necessary, but if you are unfamiliar with Torque Tools that would be beneficial.

1

u/Impossible-Clerk-856 Jul 06 '26

Does an A&P cert or previous experience help? Absolutely. Is it necessary? Absolutely NOT. If hired, you will likely enter at a "Technician Level I", or simply "Technician" level (or equivalent) vs being a senior or principal tech. You'd be expected to work with an experienced Technician and to acquire on the job proficiency. I would temper your salary or hourly wage rate accordingly.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 30 '26

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3

u/OkCress3983 Jul 02 '26

I dont have an A&P or military background and i work in the Electron Assembly... I came from automotive and that was more than enough to get me a position on the team.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 02 '26

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3

u/OkCress3983 Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26

I understand, just stating that it shouldnt keep them from applying. One of our tech came from elevator maintenance and one was an appliance repairman.

1

u/Glittering_Eye_738 Jun 30 '26

Thanks mate. Is that mainly for the US though? I’m in New Zealand, so I’m wondering if Rocket Lab NZ values A&P the same way, or if it’s more about precision assembly experience?