Chemical Process Technician (Starlink PCB) - Level 4/5 (Night Shift)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company is seeking a Chemical Process Technician to join their team. This role involves taking ownership of advanced production processes and ensuring equipment reliability for high-volume manufacturing. You will play a crucial part in the development and operationalization of technologies that support a cutting-edge broadband internet system. This position offers the chance to work closely with engineering teams, drive improvements, and impact the quality of products that connect communities. If you are a motivated technician with a passion for technology and process optimization, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a technical position or an associate degree in a STEM field.
• Experience with PCBs, electrochemical processes, and microelectronics fabrication.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and maintain production processes and equipment performance.
• Troubleshoot and calibrate equipment to ensure optimal operation.
• Collaborate with engineers to improve manufacturing processes.

Skills

Hands-on technical experience

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Ability to work independently

Experience with chemical handling

Education

High school degree or equivalency

Associate degree in a STEM field

Tools

MS Outlook

MS Word

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

Production and inventory management software

Job description

Chemical Process Technician (Starlink PCB) - Level 4/5 (Night Shift)

Bastrop, TX

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

SpaceX is developing a low latency, broadband internet system to meet the needs of consumers across the globe. Enabled by a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, Starlink will provide fast, reliable internet to populations with little or no connectivity, including those in rural communities and places where existing services are too expensive or unreliable. We are looking for talented, creative, and driven technicians to drive manufacturing output and yield. You will have ownership of one or more process areas and will have the opportunity to directly impact Starlink’s products. You will have frequent interaction with engineering teams and leadership and will participate in developing and validating new equipment, processes, and technologies. The success of Starlink depends on the quality, reliability, cost, manufacturability, throughput, security, and user experience of the products that you will manufacture.

As a PCB Process Technician on Starlink, you will take ownership of state-of-the-art production processes and equipment performance and reliability by monitoring process parameters and maintaining components, with a keen eye for leading indicators of instability or malfunction, and a drive to correct those issues in advance of undesirable events. This position is responsible for the development, implementation, and operationalization of equipment, facilities, treatment, and manufacturing process technologies necessary for high-volume production.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Execute startup and shutdown procedures for production equipment.
• Identify equipment and process deviations and perform corrective actions.
• Perform necessary interventions to maintain process parameters (this may include chemical analysis, additions, recipe changes, and machine adjustments).
• Troubleshoot, maintain, and calibrate a variety of process equipment including plating, etching stripping, developing, surface treatment, and cleaning equipment.
• Work with engineers and technicians to create operating procedures.
• Use knowledge of systems and existing documentation like schematics and parts lists to create and maintain a mature and efficient hardware inventory system – including procurement of critical spares.
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities for yield, performance, and cost.
• Track schedule for and perform preventive maintenance and calibration of equipment and instruments.
• Perform dispositions and rework for nonconforming PCBs.
• Provide feedback on failure modes and support engineering to drive root cause of yield limiters.
• Perform training of production personnel.
• Maintain inventory of consumables.
• Safely handle chemicals (including transporting and loading) and chemical handling equipment.
• Collect, segregate, and transport waste from generation points to the hazardous waste storage area.
• Recommend improvements to manufacturing processes and work with engineers to develop, implement, and refine processes with a specific focus on reducing cost and downtime and increasing yield.
• Read, interpret, and follow technical documents such as manufacturing work instructions.
• Ensure 5S standards are upheld by maintaining a clean and organized work area.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school degree or equivalency certificate.
• 5+ years of experience working in a hands-on technical position; OR an associate degree in a STEM field.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 5+ years of experience with printed circuit boards (PCBs), engineering laminates, electrochemical processes, and/or microelectronics fabrication (including school projects, clubs, or internships).
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment or wet lab.
• Experience with process parameters and engineering units for temperature, pressure, flow, and power.
• Ability to read and understand P&ID and schematic wiring diagrams.
• Proficiently use a computer and MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with mechanical equipment and systems requiring the isolation of the malfunction, disassembly of industrial machinery and repair/replacement of bearings, gears, structural components.
• Experience with lock out tag out, job hazard analysis, hot work permitting.
• Experience handling flammable, toxic, corrosive, or hazardous chemicals.
• Experience using production and inventory management software such as MES/ERP.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills to work closely with other technicians and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to identify and maintain priorities for tasks and projects while staying organized.
• Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working independently in a high-paced, challenging work environment with minimal oversight.
• Current or past certification for IPC-A-600, IPC-6012 or equivalent.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be open to work all shifts, overtime and/or weekends as needed.
• Must be willing to train on 1st shift from 6 AM – 4:30 PM for initial 30 days.
• Due to the nature of production line bring-up, the work schedule will evolve over 2 phases:
• First 2-3 months: 5 PM - 5 AM (Monday - Thursday).
• Final permanent schedule (must be available for one of the shifts below):
• C-Shift: 5 PM - 5 AM (Sunday - Tuesday and every other Saturday).
• D-Shift: 5 PM - 5 AM (Wednesday - Friday and every other Saturday).
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted.
• Must be able to walk and stand for long periods of time.
• Must be comfortable working in a production environment with extensive use of hazardous chemicals such as acids, alkalis, and solvents.
• Must be able to wear appropriate PPE for lab and electro-chemical manufacturing environment.
• Must be comfortable with climbing up and down ladders, grasping, standing, lifting, bending, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, carrying, crawling, and maneuvering in tight spaces.
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.