Integration Technician (F9 Booster & Fairings) - Multiple Shifts Hardware

Front Door Defense; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is hiring an Integration Technician for the Falcon Recovery team in Long Beach, CA. You will prepare boosters and fairings for flight readiness and coordinate with recovery teams daily on-site operations.

The role involves hands-on maintenance, lifting heavy loads, and operating heavy equipment in an outdoor setting near the waterfront. Flexibility for shifts, travel to other sites, and adherence to safety protocols are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1+ years hands-on experience in assembly, testing, maintenance, or installation or certificate from trade program or SpaceX site experience.
• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs and work in varied outdoor conditions.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain ground support equipment for booster lifting and transit operations.
• Perform high-pressure operations on boosters, both powered and unpowered.
• Conduct large-scale lifts involving flight hardware with attention to safety.
• Use heavy tools and machinery to support maintenance and assembly tasks.
• Troubleshoot and install fluid and electromechanical components from drawings or schematics.
• Complete site preventative maintenance tasks per asset management systems.
• Collaborate with engineers and leadership to implement operational improvements and reduce takt times.
• Adapt to shifting roles in a fast-paced environment to support launch operations.
• Support dockside recovery vessel maintenance as needed.

Skills

Hands-on experience

MS Office

Strong communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Heavy machinery

Forklifts

Cranes

Calipers

Job description

Integration Technician (F9 Booster & Fairings) - Multiple Shifts

Prepare boosters and fairings for flight readiness and coordinate with recovery teams daily on-site operations

Location: Long Beach, California

Compensation: $23 - 38 USD / hour

About The Role

Integration Technician (F9 Booster & Fairings) - Multiple Shifts

Long Beach, CA

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.

The Falcon Recovery team is looking for motivated technicians to support Booster processing at the Port of Long Beach. This team receives, processes, and hands over Falcon 9 First Stage Boosters from the Recovery team to the Vandenberg Refurb team. In this role, you will perform flight-level quality processing to get the vehicle safe and ready for transport out of the Port of Long Beach. The ideal candidate enjoys working outdoors and being hands-on with the vehicle. If you have a keen eye for quality, follow documented instructions on flight hardware, and enjoy working with a waterfront view, this position is for you!

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain ground support equipment used to perform booster lifting/transit operations
• Perform high-pressure operations on a powered and unpowered booster
• Carefully execute large‑scale, critical lifts involving flight hardware
• Proficiently use various mechanical tools and heavy machinery
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and install both fluid and electromechanical components from a schematic or drawing
• Complete tasks related to site preventative maintenance in accordance with the asset management system
• Work closely with engineers and leadership to develop and implement operational improvements focused on driving takt times down and ease of repeatability
• Rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a high‑paced, challenging work environment
• Play a critical role in coordinated launch vehicle movements and integrated pressurized ground operations
• Support dockside recovery vessel maintenance as needed

Basic Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 1+ years of hands‑on experience in assembly, testing, maintenance, repair, or installation, OR a certificate from an accredited trade skills program OR experience working at a SpaceX site in a manufacturing, maintenance, testing, or materials management function

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Airframe & Powerplant license
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
• Experience working in an ESD‑sensitive environment
• Knowledge of pressure, temperature, and flow measurement devices
• Experience maintaining a propulsion test stand in the aerospace industry
• Experience working at a rocket launch facility and supporting launch campaigns
• Military aviation experience as a propulsion or airframe technician
• Proficient in operating and manipulating machinery and various hand and power tools requiring manual dexterity
• Experience with forklifts, cranes, and heavy equipment
• Familiarity with calibrated measurement devices including load cells, multimeters, calipers, torque wrenches, depth gauges, and micrometers

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to work all shift times, overtime, and weekends as needed
• Ability to pass an Air Force background check for Vandenberg Space Force Base
• Work schedule varies depending on site operational needs, and flexibility is required
• Must be able to lift to 35 lbs. unassisted
• Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
• Must be able to work at elevated heights (up to 300 feet), including the use of ladders and aerial boom lifts
• Must be willing to operate heavy machinery
• Must be able to work in confined spaces
• Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain, ice
• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
• Willing to travel to other SpaceX sites as needed

Compensation and Benefits:

Pay Range: Level 1: $23.00 - $27.00 Level 2: $26.00 - $32.50 Level 3: $31.00 - $38.00

Your actual 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 part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of company stock or long‑term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR Requirements:

• 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. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Aff…? and applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].