Rocket Lab→
Master HVAC Technician at Rocket Lab in Middle River, MD
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.
Rocket Lab’s Facilities team is responsible for the maintenance, operation, and continuous improvement of our sites, ensuring our teams have the safe, reliable, and high-performance environments they need to deliver on our mission. At our Middle River, Maryland Space Structures Complex, our work environment presents unique challenges, including demanding weather conditions and specialized production requirements; making robust, adaptive facility management essential.
MASTER FACILITIES TECHNICIAN
As the onsite Master Facilities Technician at Rocket Lab’s Space Structures Complex in Middle River, MD, you will play a pivotal role in both maintaining and building out our facility. This is not just a maintenance role: you’ll be hands-on in the construction, renovation, and expansion of our site, ensuring our infrastructure keeps pace with our rapid growth and evolving needs. With a strong emphasis on HVAC systems—critical to our production processes and sensitive to Maryland’s climate—you’ll directly impact our ability to build and launch the Neutron vehicle on schedule.
WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:
- Lead facility build-out and improvement projects: Oversee and execute facility expansion, renovation, and construction projects, including planning, procurement, installation, and commissioning/decommissioning of equipment and systems.
- Critical HVAC operations: Maintain, repair, troubleshoot, and upgrade all HVAC systems (package units, split units, exhaust fans, etc.), ensuring optimal performance in challenging weather conditions and supporting sensitive manufacturing environments.
- Preventative and corrective maintenance: Develop and execute preventative maintenance schedules for all building systems, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, safety, and waste management to maximize uptime and reliability.
- General facility operations: Manage day-to-day facility operations, including general building and equipment maintenance, repairs, and upgrades, with responsibility for major facility renovations and construction as needed.
- Plumbing and utility support: Assist with plumbing maintenance, new installations, and repairs to support facility and production needs.
- Safety and compliance: Ensure all maintenance and construction work adheres to safety standards, regulatory requirements, and internal specifications. Manage hazardous waste streams in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
- Project and ticket management: Oversee the facilities ticketing system (JIRA), prioritize and resolve breakdowns, and track work orders to completion within budget.
- BMS/BAS implementation: Support the rollout and ongoing management of new Building Management Systems (BMS) and Building Automation Systems (BAS).
- Site oversight: Maintain and enforce site safety, security, and cleanliness standards across the Space Structures Complex and manufacturing infrastructure.
- Emergency response: Respond to facility emergencies, including after-hours or weekend calls, to minimize downtime and protect critical operations.
- Other duties as assigned, including occasional travel.
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
- 10+ years of HVAC maintenance experience and a High School Diploma or GED.
- Journeyman or Master HVACR license.
- Facility maintenance experience in aerospace, automotive, medical device, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- EPA 608 Universal License
- Electrical journeyman license.
- PID setting experience.
- HVAC system design and/or CAD experience.
- Experience with facility BAS/BMS systems and improvement projects.
- Experience in contamination control or cleanroom environments.
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
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. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including: top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include: discounted employee stock purchase program, and free snacks/drinks onsite.
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.
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.