Machine Maintenance Technician, Solar Cells (Starlink) - Day Shift

United States Digital Space LLC; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC in Bastrop, Texas, is seeking a Machine Maintenance Technician to perform scheduled preventive maintenance and repairs on solar cell production equipment to minimize downtime.

You will read schematics and OEM manuals, collaborate with engineers, and uphold safety protocols in cleanroom-adjacent environments while supporting high-volume manufacturing.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 2+ years of maintenance on industrial manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with vacuum deposition, wet chemistry, or precision printing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Perform scheduled preventive maintenance, repairs, and basic troubleshooting on solar cell production equipment.
• Disassemble, inspect, clean, reassemble, and test machinery to keep lines up.
• Read schematics and OEM manuals to guide service actions.
• Collaborate with engineers and production teams to maintain peak uptime.
• Uphold safety protocols for hazardous environments and follow 5S/cleanroom practices.
• Track work tickets and maintain maintenance records; assist with continuous improvement.

Skills

Preventive maintenance

Troubleshooting

Reading schematics

Electrical troubleshooting

Mechanical systems

Safety protocols

Education

High school diploma

Tools

P&IDs

OEM manuals

Job description

the company 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 the company is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal ofenabling human life on Mars.

MACHINE MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN, SOLAR CELLS (STARLINK) - DAY SHIFT

At the company, we are building the next generation of space infrastructure to enable large-scale AI data centers in orbit. These orbital AI platforms require massive amounts of reliable, high-efficiency solar power to support intensive computing workloads in space. To make this possible, we are standing up one of the largest solar cell manufacturing facilities in the world. We are seeking a Machine Maintenance Technician to perform scheduled maintenance, repairs, and basic troubleshooting on production equipment to minimize downtime in solar cell manufacturing.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform scheduled preventive maintenance, repairs, and basic troubleshooting on solar cell production equipment including laser cutters, texturing lines, PECVD tools, PVD systems, screen printers, and IV testers to minimize downtime

• Execute disassembly, inspection, cleaning, reassembly, and testing of production machinery supporting texturing, deposition, metallization, and testing processes

• Collaborate with engineers and production teams to maintain equipment in peak operating condition and develop detailed work instructions

• Identify leading indicators of equipment instability and perform corrective actions to support high-volume 24/7 manufacturing

• Read and interpret schematics, P&IDs, and OEM manuals for assembly, repair, and reassembly

• Ensure all maintenance activities comply with safety protocols for hazardous gases, chemicals, and cleanroom environments

• Track and resolve electronic work tickets, maintain accurate maintenance records, and support continuous improvement for uptime and yield

• Operate forklifts, scissor lifts, and other equipment as needed while upholding 5S standards in ISO 7 and ISO 9 production areas

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate

• 2+ years of professional experience performing maintenance on industrial manufacturing equipment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience maintaining vacuum deposition, wet chemistry, or precision printing equipment in semiconductor or solar manufacturing

• Knowledge of mechanical systems, rotating machinery, pneumatics, and basic electrical troubleshooting

• Technical certification or journeyman-level experience in maintenance or industrial technology

• Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to read schematics, blueprints, and technical documentation

• Familiarity with cleanroom protocols and gowning procedures

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

• Experience with lock-out/tag-out, job hazard analysis, and chemical safety protocols

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and executing digital work instructions

• Demonstrated punctuality, ability to work in a high-stress environment, and flexibility to adjust priorities

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to travel internationally (10%)

• Ability to stand up to 6 hours, lift up to 25 pounds unassisted, and maneuver around equipment in a factory setting

• Ability to work in industrial environments with fumes/odors, noise, hazardous chemicals, and confined spaces

• Must be available for one of the following AWS shifts (start and end times are approximate):

• A Shift – 5:00am-5:00pm, Sunday-Wednesday

• B Shift – 5:00am-5:00pm, Wednesday-Saturday

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.

the company is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with the company 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.