Maintenance Technician

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in United States is seeking a Maintenance Technician to install and maintain the Starship test stand's electrical, mechanical, and fluid systems. You will fabricate components, troubleshoot issues, and support the 100% successful launch of a multimillion‑dollar vehicle.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years of maintenance experience on mechanical and low-voltage systems, familiar with hydraulics and cryogenic systems, and is comfortable operating heavy equipment and working in challenging

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency
• 2+ years maintenance or installation on mechanical and low-voltage control systems

Responsibilities

• Fabricate and install fluid system components from schematics or drawings
• Troubleshoot operational issues in activation of controls, fluids, and mechanical systems
• Work with a team to ensure systems support 100% successful launch
• Operate heavy machinery including forklifts and aerial platforms
• Perform hands-on operations with large and small assemblies
• Create and edit written work orders and instructions
• Perform lockout/tagout procedures and fluid system configuration procedures safely
• Monitor instrumentation data to assess health of fluid systems

Skills

Launch pad experience

Propulsion tech

Heavy equipment

Schematics reading

Hydraulic/cryogenic

Troubleshooting

LOTO safety

Rigging

Clean room

Measurement devices

Job description

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.

Maintenance Technician

We are looking for a maintenance technician to install and maintain the Starship test stand's electrical, mechanical, and fluid systems in preparation for test operations. These systems include hydraulics, high-pressure nitrogen/helium, and cryogenic systems.

In addition to the required experience below, our ideal candidate is someone who shows personal initiative, maintains their composure, and fosters a positive environment. In this role, it is important to be responsible, hardworking, and conscientious about the quality of work performed. The instrumentation fitter will need to take the lead in making suggestions and not get discouraged along the way. Additionally, they will need to be able to produce high‑quality work promptly while continually looking forward to needed process improvements, streamlining of work, and cost savings.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate and install fluid system components from a schematic or engineering drawing, including, but not limited to, ball valves, check valves, pressure regulators, and pressure gauges
• Troubleshoot operational issues found during the activation of controls, fluids, and mechanical systems
• Work with a team of technicians and engineers to ensure every system is operating with the highest level of quality to support the 100% successful launch of a multimillion‑dollar launch vehicle
• Operate heavy machinery, including forklifts and aerial platforms
• Perform hands‑on operations with both large and small fragile assemblies
• Perform maintenance tasks as required in a variety of roles for vehicle integration, pad maintenance, site preventative maintenance, general facilities, and any other general maintenance work to maintain an operational launch site (including corrosion control)
• Create, maintain, and edit written work orders and instructions
• Perform lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures and fluid system configuration procedures, ensuring all physical and administrative actions are completed safely and accurately
• Monitor and interpret critical instrumentation data to assess the health and performance of fluid systems

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 2+ years of experience performing maintenance or installation work on mechanical and low‑voltage control systems

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience working on a rocket launch pad and directly supporting launch operations
• Experience in military aviation as a propulsion or airframe technician
• Experience using heavy equipment (overhead cranes, forklifts, and man lifts)
• Experience following detailed schematics and fabricating fluid panels from said schematics
• Knowledge of hydraulic/cryogenic systems and operations
• Experience explaining the differences between test setups: hydraulic vs. pneumatic vs. thermal and between sensors (load cells, differential pressure transducers, thermocouples, etc.)
• Experience maintaining and troubleshooting complex controls, fluids, and mechanical systems
• Experience routing tubes in the field to a high level of accuracy
• Experience in safely rigging and moving items under 20,000 lbs.
• Experience operating and building a flush cart, proof cart, and leak check cart
• Experience working in a clean room environment
• Familiarity with calibrated measurement devices, including load cells, multimeters, calipers, torque wrenches, depth gauges, and micrometers

Additional Requirements

• Standard hours for this role are Monday–Friday, 6:00 AM–4:30 PM
• Must be available for overtime and weekends as the schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility is required
• Ability to support shift rotations as site demands change
• Flight hardware is typically built in tight quarters, and physical dexterity is required
• Valid driver's license and a clean driving record
• Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments—heat, cold, rain
• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
• Must be able to travel to other SpaceX facilities when needed (up to 25 % travel)
• Stand: Up to 10 hours per day
• Sit: Up to 3 hours per day
• Push/Pull: Up to 75 lbs. (unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day
• Overhead reach: Up to 10 hours per day
• Walk: Up to 10 hours per day
• Lift/Carry: Up to ≤ 50 lbs. (unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day
• Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 6 hours per day
• Kneel/Crouch: Up to 10 hours per day
• Upper body twist: Up to 6 hours per day
• Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees for 6 hours or greater per day
• Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500 ft), in confined spaces, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description. Candidate may be required to complete a pre‑employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review.
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (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.