Facilities Operations Lead

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.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. 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.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

FACILITIES OPERATIONS LEAD

Rocket Lab Robotics specializes in high-performance robotic systems and precision mechanisms that enable the most ambitious space missions, including NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover and CADRE lunar rovers. Leveraging Mars-proven expertise from Motiv Space Systems, we deliver scalable, flight-proven solutions – such as robotic arms, motion control systems, and solar array drive assemblies (SADAs) – to support planetary exploration, satellite servicing, and national security missions.

Based onsite at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA, the Facilities Operations Lead is responsible for leading the team that keeps the robotics facility running safely, reliably, and efficiently. This role oversees office administration, facilities maintenance and operations, equipment maintenance, improvement projects, and capital projects that support robotics development, production, integration, and test activities.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Manage facility maintenance, readiness, and safety for the Pasadena robotics facility, including infrastructure upkeep, lab, production, cleanroom, machine shop, and test area support, equipment installation, preventive maintenance, and coordination of repairs or improvements needed to keep operations running safely and effectively.
• Maintain readiness of production, lab, cleanroom, machine shop, and test areas, including support equipment, utilities, fixtures, tooling, facility systems, organization, cleanliness, safety checks, and equipment maintenance coordination.
• Oversee ESD controls and environmental control compliance across production, lab, cleanroom, and test environments, including controls maintenance, audit and corrective action support, and compliance with internal, customer, and program requirements.
• Coordinate equipment calibration, verification, and metrology activities, including calibration tracking, verification support, records maintenance, vendor coordination, and serving as the site metrology subject matter expert where applicable.
• Manage facility and test equipment setup for test execution, including spaces, equipment, fixtures, tooling, LN2-supported systems, and infrastructure for thermal testing, thermal vacuum testing, environmental testing, production acceptance testing, and other specialized test activities.
• Set up, support, and improve automated test systems using LabVIEW or similar tools, including hands-on test support when needed and improvements to repeatability, safety, efficiency, and data quality.
• Create, maintain, and train others on safe operating procedures for test equipment, thermal vacuum systems, LN2-related operations, environmental test setups, production acceptance testing, machine shop equipment, and other specialized activities.
• Expand test capability by identifying equipment, facility, infrastructure, tooling, and process needs for new programs, new product requirements, increased production volume, and improved test efficiency.
• Lead continuous improvement of production and test infrastructure to reduce downtime, improve efficiency, increase reliability and test repeatability, and support a growing team.
• Coordinate vendors and contractors for facility maintenance, equipment installation, calibration, repairs, environmental systems, machine shop equipment support, safety improvements, LN2-related infrastructure, and specialized facility or test infrastructure needs.
• Provide facility and equipment-related safety and compliance support, including identifying safety concerns, supporting corrective actions, maintaining safe operating conditions, and ensuring work areas meet applicable safety expectations.
• Partner with engineering, production, quality, and test teams to resolve facility, equipment, process, calibration, machine shop, and test-support issues that affect daily execution or program delivery.
• Own facility and test readiness for growth, including infrastructure planning and implementation to expand headcount, increase production activity, support new programs, and build additional test capabilities.
• Respond to emergency calls, including weekends or after regularly scheduled shifts, as needed to support facility uptime and safe operations.
• Some travel is required. Other duties as assigned.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A MANAGER, FACILITIES OPERATIONS:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in facilities operations, production support, test operations support, equipment maintenance, or infrastructure management in aerospace, robotics, automotive, medical device, advanced manufacturing, or another heavily regulated technical environment.
• Minimum 1 year of experience managing a team.
• Facility maintenance experience supporting labs, production areas, technical operations, machine shops, test environments, cleanrooms, or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience operating, supporting, or maintaining thermal vacuum test equipment.
• Experience working with LN2 systems, including safe handling, operational support, or coordination of equipment and infrastructure that uses liquid nitrogen.
• Experience setting up, configuring, and supporting automated test systems using LabVIEW or similar test automation software.
• Experience creating, maintaining, and training others on safe operating procedures for test equipment, machine shop equipment, test environments, and specialized test activities.
• Experience supporting equipment calibration, verification, or metrology activities, including tracking status, maintaining records, coordinating vendors, or supporting audit readiness.
• Experience supporting ESD controls, environmental controls, cleanroom controls, machine shop safety requirements, or other compliance requirements in production, lab, test, or technical environments.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience leading a facilities team in a robotics, automation, aerospace, or advanced manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting technical labs, production areas, integration spaces, test equipment, or clean/controlled environments.
• Track record of consolidating complex operational requirements and managing facilities or infrastructure projects through completion.
• Understanding of HVAC, electrical systems, process utilities, compressed air, vacuum systems, ESD controls, equipment maintenance, and physical infrastructure.
• Ability to operate calmly under stressful conditions and make sound decisions during facility or equipment issues.
• Experience with CMMS/JIRA ticketing, preventive maintenance programs, EHS requirements, hazardous materials or waste handling, and equipment commissioning/decommissioning.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work in environments with electrical hazards, chemical exposure, temperature variations, and noise 
• Wear required PPE as assigned, which may include safety glasses, gloves, respirators, and/or other protective clothing for extended periods 
• Move between buildings, labs, and work areas, as needed 
• Lift, carry, push and pull materials and equipment up to 25 lbs. unassisted 
• Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and varied shifts as operational needs require 

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 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.